Effect of deep wound infection following lumbar arthrodesis for degenerative disc disease on long-term outcome: a prospective study: clinical article.

Abstract

OBJECT:

Deep wound infections are one of the most common and serious complications of spinal surgery. The impact of such infections on long-term outcomes is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional status and satisfaction in patients who suffered a deep wound infection after undergoing lumbar arthrodesis for symptomatic degenerative disc disease.

METHODS:

The authors conducted a prospective study in 13 patients with a clinical and radiological diagnosis of symptomatic degenerative lumbar stenosis and instability; after undergoing decompression and instrumentation-augmented arthrodesis, the patients suffered a deep wound infection (infection group). A 3:1 (39-patient) matched cohort was selected for comparison (control group). All surgeries were performed during the same period and by a single surgeon. The postoperative infections were all treated in a similar manner and the instrumentation was not removed. Both groups were followed up and assessed with validated outcome instruments: Numerical Rating Scale of pain, Oswestry Disability Index, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, Beck Depression Inventory, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Patient satisfaction was also determined.

RESULTS:

The median follow-up duration was 22 months (range 6-108 months). The mean patient age was 62 ± 10 years, and 59.6% of the patients were female. There was no significant difference between the groups in pain, functional disability, quality of life, or depression and anxiety. However, 53.8% of the patients with infection were not satisfied with the procedure at the final evaluation, compared with 15.4% of the patients without a deep wound infection (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with successfully treated postoperative deep wound infections do not have a difference in functional outcome compared with patients who underwent an identical operation but did not suffer a complicating infection. Patients who suffered an infection were more likely to be unsatisfied with the procedure than patients who did not.

• Authors: Asdrubal Falavigna, Orlando Righesso, Vincent C Traynelis, Alisson Roberto Teles, Pedro Guarise da Silva
• Journal: Journal of neurosurgery. Spine (J Neurosurg Spine) Vol. 15 Issue 4 Pg. 399-403 (Oct 2011) ISSN: 1547-5646 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21682558 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Aged
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Debridement
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (surgery)
• Lumbar Vertebrae (surgery)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Satisfaction
• Prospective Studies
• Spinal Fusion (adverse effects, instrumentation)
• Surgical Wound Infection (drug therapy, surgery)
• Treatment Outcome