Risk factors for implant removal after spinal surgical site infection

ObjectivesTo determine (1) the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing soft tissue surgery at a veterinary teaching hospital and to study (2) and describe the main risk factors associated with SSI and (3) assess the economic impact of SSI.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingVeterinary teaching hospital.Participants184 dogs undergoing soft tissue surgery during a 12-month period (October 2013 to September 2014).Primary outcome measureSurgical site infection.ResultsOut of the 184 patients analysed, SSI was diagnosed in 16 (8.7 per cent) patients, 13 (81.3 per cent) were classified as superficial incisional infection, 2 (12.5 per cent) as deep incisional infection and 1 (6.3 per cent) as organ/space infection. The administration of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (P=0.028), preoperative hyperglycaemia (P=0.015), surgical times longer than 60 minutes (P=0.013), urinary catheterisation (P=0.037) and wrong use of the Elizabethan collar (P=0.025) were identified as risk factors. Total costs increased 74.4 per cent, with an increase in postsurgical costs of 142.2 per cent.ConclusionsThe incidence of SSI was higher than the incidence reported in other published studies, although they were within expected ranges when a surveillance system was implemented. This incidence correlated with an increase in costs. Additionally new important risk factors for its development were detected.

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Incidence, Management and Outcome of Delayed Deep Surgical Site Infection Following Spinal Deformity Surgery: 20-Year Experience at a Single Institution

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/2192568220978225 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 219256822097822

Author(s):

Muyi Wang ◽

Liang Xu ◽

Bo Yang ◽

Changzhi Du ◽

Zezhang Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surgical Site Infection ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Recurrent Infection ◽

Implant Removal ◽

Site Infection ◽

Initial Surgery ◽

Spinal Deformity Surgery ◽

Solid Fusion ◽

Deep Surgical Site Infection

Study Design: A retrospective study. Objectives: To investigate the incidence, management and outcome of delayed deep surgical site infection (SSI) after the spinal deformity surgery. Methods: This study reviewed 5044 consecutive patients who underwent spinal deformity corrective surgery and had been followed over 2 years. Delayed deep SSI were defined as infection involving fascia and muscle and occurring >3 months after the initial procedure. An attempt to retain the implant were initially made for all patients. If the infection failed to be eradicated, the implant removal should be put off until solid fusion was confirmed, usually more than 2 years after the initial surgery. Radiographic data at latest follow-up were compared versus that before implant removal. Results: With an average follow-up of 5.3 years, 56 (1.1%) patients were diagnosed as delayed deep SSI. Seven (12.5%) patients successfully retained instrumentation and there were no signs of recurrence during follow-up (average 3.4 years). The remaining patients, because of persistent or recurrent infection, underwent implant removal 2 years or beyond after the primary surgery, and solid fusion was detected in any case. However, at a minimum 1-year follow-up (average 3.9 years), an average loss of 9° in the thoracic curve and 8° in the thoracolumbar/lumbar curves was still observed. Conclusions: Delayed deep SSI was rare after spinal deformity surgery. To eradicate infection, complete removal of implant may be required in the majority of delayed SSI. Surgeons must be aware of high likelihood of deformity progression after implant removal, despite radiographic solid fusion.

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