Postoperative Spinal Wound Infections and Postprocedural Diskitis

Abstract

Background/Objective: Postprocedural infections are a significant cause of morbidity after spinal interventions.

Methods: Literature review. An extensive literature review was conducted on postprocedural spinal infections. Relevant articles were reviewed in detail and additional case images were included.

Results: Clinical findings, laboratory markers, and imaging modalities play important roles in the detection of postprocedural spinal infections. Treatment may range from biopsy and antibiotics to multiple operations with complex strategies for soft tissue management.

Conclusions: Early detection and aggressive treatment are paramount in managing postprocedural spinal infections and limiting their long-term sequelae.     

一期前路病灶清除钛网植骨融合内固定治疗下颈椎结核

目的总结一期前路病灶清除钛网植骨融合内固定治疗颈椎结核的临床疗效。方法 2008年7月至2011年12月,采用一期前路病灶清除钛网植骨融合内固定治疗下颈椎结核15例,男9例,女6例;年龄32~71岁,平均55岁。病灶累及两个椎体者11例,其中C3~41例,C4~52例,C5~64例,C6~74例;累及3个椎体者4例,均为C5~7。颈椎后凸Cobb角为22°~46°,平均35°。神经功能按Frankel分级,B级2例,C级3例,D级8例,E级2例。术前抗结核药物治疗2周以上,术后继续抗结核治疗12~18个月。随访观察患者临床症状改善和植骨融合情况。结果手术均顺利完成,术中无大血管、脊髓、食道、气管损伤。切口均一期愈合,未发生感染及窦道形成。随访20~60个月,平均30.6个月。患者临床症状及神经功能有不同程度恢复,神经功能1例B级恢复至D级,其余均达E级。术后末次随访后凸Cobb角0°~5°,平均2.6°,较术前明显减少,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。患者植骨均完全融合,融合时间3~5个月,平均3.5个月,无内固定松动、脱落、折断、结核复发等并发症。结论在规范抗结核治疗的基础上,一期前路病灶清除钛网植骨融合内固定是治疗下颈椎结核的有效方法 。     

短节段C—D装置治疗胸腰椎骨折的探讨

１９９５年２月～１９９６年１月间，作者利用短节段Ｃｏｔｒｅｌ－Ｄｕｂｏｕｓｅｔ装置治疗胸腰椎不稳定性骨折１５例，骨折脱位复位达７３．３％，１２例伴有神经损伤者神经功能平均恢复１．２５级（Ｆｒａｎｋｅｌ分级）。作者认为Ｃ－Ｄ装置具有纵向撑开，横向固定、抗旋转、固定牢靠、手术操作简单、损伤脊髓的机会少等优点，是治疗胸腰椎骨折有效的装置之一。     

一期病灶清除及前路内固定治疗胸腰椎结核

目的探讨前路内固定技术在治疗胸腰椎结核中的临床意义,并对其手术时机、手术指征进行初步分析。方法对2001年3月至2005年12月收治胸腰椎结核患者42例进行随访分析,42例患者中男27例、女15例,年龄22~58岁,平均37.6岁。病灶累及2个椎体28例,3个椎体14例。手术方式为前路病灶清除植骨Z-P late内固定术,术后三联抗结核治疗1年。术后平均随访时间1年,以植骨融合情况及神经功能分级作为主要观测指标。结果手术切口一期愈合,无窦道形成,无局部复发。除4例脊髓功能无明显恢复外,38例患者脊髓功能均有不同程度的恢复。植骨均获得骨性融合,平均愈合时间为4个月。脊柱后凸角平均矫正10°。随访未出现明显后凸畸形加重及矫正角度丢失。结论在严格手术指征的前提下一期病灶清除减压、植骨并应用前路内固定器,能够早期重建脊椎稳定性,矫正脊柱畸形,无明显并发症发生。     

Nationwide survey on complications of spine surgery in Japan

The Japan Spine Research Society carried out a nationwide survey on complications of the spine, enrolling a total of 16157 patients who had undergone spine surgery in 196 institutes in the 1-year period from January to December 2001. Diseases, surgical procedures, and complications were surveyed in detail. Forty-nine percent of patients were aged 60 years or older, which was remarkably increased in comparison with the percentage reported by the 1994 survey (37.3%). The number of cases with degenerative spinal diseases comprised 78.2% of the total number of spine surgery cases. The percentage of patients with stenosis was the greatest (38.5%), reflecting the increase in the elderly population undergoing spine surgery. Spinal instrumentation was used with 5497 patients (34.0%). The frequency of its use was much greater than that reported in 1994 (27.0%). The pedicle screw was the most frequently used instrument (54.6%). The use of spinal instrumentation greatly increased for spinal deformity, trauma, and tumors. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion has been increasingly used in cases of lumbar degenerative disease. Complications of spinal surgery were reported in 1383 patients (8.6%). The incidence of complications associated with instrumentation surgery was 12.1%, being twice as much as that associated with noninstrumentation surgery (6.8%).     

Assessing the Stiffness of Spinal Fusion in Animal Models

The clinical goal of spinal fusion is to reduce motion and the associated pain. Therefore, measuring motion under loading is critical. The purpose of this study was to validate four-point bending as a means to mechanically evaluate simulated fusions in dog and rabbit spines. We hypothesized that this method would be more sensitive than manual palpation and would be able to distinguish unilateral vs bilateral fusion. Spines from four mixed breed dogs and four New Zealand white rabbits were used to simulate posterolateral fusion with polymethyl methacrylate as the fusion mass. We performed manual palpation and nondestructive mechanical testing in four-point bending in four planes of motion: flexion, extension, and right and left bending. This testing protocol was used for each specimen in three fusion modes: intact, unilateral, and bilateral fusion. Under manual palpation, all intact spines were rated as not fused, and all unilateral and bilateral simulated fusions were rated as fused. In four-point bending, dog spines were significantly stiffer after unilateral fusion compared with intact in all directions. Additionally, rabbit spines were stiffer in flexion and left bending after unilateral fusion. All specimens exhibited significant differences between intact and bilateral fusion except the rabbit in extension. For unilateral vs bilateral fusion, significant differences were present for right bending in the dog model and for flexion in the rabbit. Unilateral fusion can provide enough stability to constitute a fused grade by manual palpation but may not provide structural stiffness comparable to bilateral fusion.     

Cost-Effectiveness of Preoperative Spinal Imaging Before Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundThe risk of instability, dislocation, and revision following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is increased in patients with abnormal spinopelvic mobility. Seated and standing lateral lumbar spine imaging can identify patients with stiff/hypermobile spine (SHS) to guide interventions such as changes in acetabular cup placement or use of a dual-mobility hip construct aimed at reducing dislocation risk.MethodsA Markov decision model was created to compare routine preoperative spinal imaging (PSI) to no screening in patients with and without SHS. Screened patients with SHS were assumed to receive dual-mobility hardware while those without SHS and nonscreened patients were assumed to receive conventional THA. Cost-effectiveness was determined by estimating the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Effectiveness measured as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), with $100,000 per additional QALY as the threshold for cost-effectiveness. Sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the robustness of the base-case result.ResultsThe screening strategy with PSI had a lifetime cost of $12,515 and QALY gains of 16.91 compared with no-screening ($13,331 and 16.77). The PSI strategy reached cost-effectiveness at 5 years and was dominant (ie, less costly and more effective) at 11 years following THA. In sensitivity analyses, PSI remained the dominant strategy if prevalence of SHS was >1.9%, the cost of PSI was <$925, and the cost of dual-mobility hardware exceeded the cost of conventional hardware by <$2850.ConclusionScreening patients for SHS prior to THA with PSI is both less costly and more effective and should be considered as part of standard presurgical workup.     

A retrospective review of cervical corpectomy: indications,complications and outcome

Summary. Background. Cervical corpectomy is a common spinal surgery procedure used to decompress the spinal cord in numerous degenerative, traumatic and neoplastic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the indications, complications and outcomes in past cervical corpectomy cases at one centre.Method. 72 patients who underwent cervical corpectomy between February 1992 and June 2001 were retrospectively investigated.Findings. The indications for this operation were degenerative spondylitic disease (26 cases; 36.1%), trauma (18 cases; 25%), tumour (11 cases; 15.3%), infection (10 cases; 13.9%), and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (7 cases; 9.7%). Thirty-seven patients (51.4%) underwent one-level corpectomy, and 35 (48.6%) underwent two-level corpectomy. Autografts were used in 13 cases (18.1%) and allografts were used in 59 cases (81.9%). Anterior plate-screw fixation was performed in all cases. There were 31 postoperative complications in 15 (20.8%) patients. Twelve of the complications were surgical, 5 were graft-related, 7 were plating-related, and 7 were medical. Solid bony fusion was achieved in 65 (92.9%) of the 70 surviving patients. The mean follow-up time was 23.4 months. An overall favourable outcome was achieved in 88% of cases.Conclusion. The outcomes in this series indicate that cervical corpectomy is an effective method for treating traumatic lesions, degenerative disease, tumours and infectious processes involving the anterior and middle portions of the cervical spine.     

Subdural Haematoma. A Rare But Life-Threatening Complication after Spinal Anaesthesia

A 70-year-old patient developed severe headache after spinal anaesthesia. He was treated with an epidural autologous blood patch with only temporary relief. Three weeks after the spinal anaesthesia, the headache became more intense and was accompanied by nausea and vomiting. A second epidural blood patch was performed without effect. The patient became unconscious and an acute CT scan revealed a large subdural haematoma. This was immediately evacuated and the patient made a good recovery. This case demonstrates that subdural haematoma should be considered as a possible aetiology in severe postspinal headache.     

Spinal cord injury

In the UK, the annual incidence of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is 19 new cases per million population, contributing to an estimated 50,000 people who are currently living with SCI. Trauma is the most common cause of SCI, predominantly from falls and road traffic accidents. Damage to the spinal cord occurs both at the time of injury (primary) and in its aftermath (secondary). Effectively treating and preventing secondary cord injury, and managing complications associated with SCI, can make a significant improvement to patient outcomes. Improving outcomes in this patient population mean more patients with established SCIs are presenting for routine operations. Anaesthetists should be aware of the unique challenges posed by these patients, both in the acute and chronic settings.     

Spinal cord injury

In the UK, the annual incidence of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is 19 new cases per million population, contributing to an estimated 50,000 people who are currently living with SCI. Trauma is the most common cause of SCI, predominantly from falls and road traffic accidents. Damage to the spinal cord occurs both at the time of injury (primary) and in its aftermath (secondary). Effectively treating and preventing secondary cord injury, and managing complications associated with SCI, can make a significant improvement to patient outcomes. Improving outcomes in this patient population mean more patients with established SCIs are presenting for routine operations. Anaesthetists should be aware of the unique challenges posed by these patients, both in the acute and chronic settings.     

前路器械内固定手术矫治脊椎侧凸

作者从１９７９年开始使用戴瓦氏手术，１９８３年开始使用斯伍基氏手术，至１９９４年共做５７例（男性２８例，女性２９例），年龄为９～２８岁。手术无死亡。术后并发症戴瓦氏手术：１例截瘫，２例椎体骨折伴螺丝钉拔出，２例螺丝钉折断，２例金属缆折断；斯伍基氏手术，１例杆折断，２例切口感染。     

Postoperative spinal wound infections and postprocedural diskitis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Postprocedural infections are a significant cause of morbidity after spinal interventions. METHODS: Literature review. An extensive literature review was conducted on postprocedural spinal infections. Relevant articles were reviewed in detail and additional case images were included. RESULTS: Clinical findings, laboratory markers, and imaging modalities play important roles in the detection of postprocedural spinal infections. Treatment may range from biopsy and antibiotics to multiple operations with complex strategies for soft tissue management. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection and aggressive treatment are paramount in managing postprocedural spinal infections and limiting their long-term sequelae.     

Spinal cord compression by arachnoid cysts

Spinal arachnoid cysts are considered to be rare entities, intradural locations are even less common. We report two cases of patients (two women aged 77- and 21-year-old) who presented spinal cord compression by intradural arachnoid cysts. For the second patient, repeated surgical procedures were necessary to improve the neurological status. After presenting the case reports, we expose the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical features, and the surgical difficulties of treating this rare cause of spinal cord compression.     

Urinary bladder dysfunction following anterior lumbosacral spine fusion: case report and review of the literature

A 34-year-old woman suffering from chronic degenerative low back pain involving L5-S1 disc space, refractory to conservative treatment, underwent spinal fusion. A combined instrumented posterolateral, followed by anterior, interbody allograft fusion through a left retroperitoneal approach was performed. Postoperatively, the patient was unable to evaculate her bladder and control her micturition. Anal tone and sensation were intact. A self-catheterisation regime was instituted with a diagnosis of parasympathetic nerve injury during the anterior spinal fusion. After a period of 3 months, the patient regained control of urination. We report this case to highlight the importance of protecting the parasympathetic presacral nerve during L5-S1 anterior interbody fusion, as injury to this nerve affects urinary evacuation.     

Prior Lumbar Spinal Fusion is Associated With an Increased Risk of Dislocation and Revision in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis

Background

The biomechanical relationship between the lumbar spine and the hip is well-documented. It follows that fusing the lumbar spine would have implications on the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aimed to determine the effect of preexisting lumbar spinal fusion surgery on the outcomes of THA by synthesizing the available evidence via systematic review and meta-analysis.

中华通用脊柱内固定装置的研制实验研究和临床应用

[目的]测试中华通用脊柱内固定装置(PRSS,ADS和PRFS)矫正脊柱侧弯效果和阐明矫正侧弯的生物力学机理。[方法]为克服使用欧美方法在治疗生长中儿童脊柱侧弯时需多次延伸内固定和广泛脊柱植骨融合,从而影响脊柱生长和运动等缺点,本院于1998年研制成中华通用脊柱内固定装置,从1998年10月~2003年12月作者用PRSS矫正各种类型脊柱侧弯183例生长中儿童侧弯,对其中66例随访2 a以上的特发性脊柱侧弯进行分析,其中男性29例,女性37例;手术时平均年龄12.15岁。并进行了生物力学测试和PRSS固定后的动物模型的椎体两侧的终板软骨中的X型胶原的测试,以阐明PRSS对侧弯的矫正作用和矫正的生物力学机理。[结果]脊柱侧弯由术前66.58°(40~110°)矫正至12.70°,平均矫正率68.86%,平均随访24.6个月,22例有平均6.5°丢失,其余无丢失。PRSS矫正节段脊柱平均增高11.13 mm,8例骨成熟后除去内固定,侧弯矫正维持良好,脊柱活动度接近正常。生物力学测试证明:在放置PRSS后,PRSS在凸侧的侧推力在脊柱两侧软骨终板上产生不对称应力,在侧弯凸侧产生压应力,而在凹侧出现张应力。并发现在凸侧椎体终板软骨上较之凹侧有更多的X型胶原表达,说明在压应力增加侧的椎体终板软骨细胞的分化、骨化或退变提前与加速,使该侧终板软骨的生长受到抑制,侧弯椎体两侧的不平衡生长达到脊柱侧弯矫正的目的,从分子生物学角度阐明PRSS的矫正机理。体外生物力学测试证明PRSS临床使用时不需植骨即能有效维持矫正。[结论]中华通用脊柱内固定装置是新型的我国首创的效果良好的脊柱侧弯矫正装置,特别适于生长中儿童的脊柱侧弯,其独有的优点为:手术时不需植骨融合,一次手术即能满意矫正脊柱侧弯及维持矫正,不需多次手术去延伸内固定。术后PRSS能随儿童脊柱生长而自动延伸,所以能有效防止躯干短小畸形和一部分“曲轴”现象。治疗完成后,脊柱屈伸活动功能接近正常。还能广泛用于治疗脊柱后凸畸形,前路脊柱旋转的矫正和固定,还可治疗脊柱滑脱和脊柱骨折,具有较高的社会效益和经济效益。