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Published in: International Orthopaedics 2/2012

01-02-2012 | Review Article

Infections in spinal instrumentation

Authors: Antoine Gerometta, Juan Carlos Rodriguez Olaverri, Fabian Bitan

Published in: International Orthopaedics | Issue 2/2012

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Abstract

Surgical-site infection (SSI ) in the spine is a serious postoperative complication. Factors such as posterior surgical approach, arthrodesis, use of spinal instrumentation, age, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, operating-room environment and estimated blood loss are well established in the literature to affect the risk of infection. Infection after spine surgery with instrumentation is becoming a common pathology. The reported infection rates range from 0.7% to 11.9%, depending on the diagnosis and complexity of the procedure. Besides operative factors, patient characteristics could also account for increased infection rates. These infections after instrumented spinal fusion are particularly difficult to manage due to the implanted, and possibly infected, instrumentation. Because the medical, economic and social costs of SSI after spinal instrumentation are enormous, any significant reduction in risks will pay dividends. The goal of this literature review was to analyse risk factors, causative organisms, diagnostic elements (both clinical and biological), different treatment options and their efficiency and consequences and the means of SSI prevention.
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Metadata
Title
Infections in spinal instrumentation
Authors
Antoine Gerometta
Juan Carlos Rodriguez Olaverri
Fabian Bitan
Publication date
01-02-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Orthopaedics / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 0341-2695
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5195
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-011-1426-0

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