HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sasso, R. C. Articles by Garrido, B. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sasso, R. C. Articles by Garrido, B. J.

Postoperative Spinal Wound Infections

Dr. Sasso is Associate Professor, Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana Spine Group, Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Garrido is Resident, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.

None of the following authors or a member of their immediate families has received anything of value from or owns stock in a commercial company or institution related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article: Dr. Sasso and Dr. Garrido.

Reprint requests: Dr. Sasso, Indiana Spine Group, Suite 400, 8402 Harcourt Road, Indianapolis, IN 46260.

Surgical site infection is a common adverse event and a significant source of morbidity after any spinal procedure. A patient who presents with postoperative infection often requires prolonged hospitalization, revision surgical procedures, and long-term intravenous antibiotics. Awareness of risk factors and preventive measures can lead to improved outcomes. Infection after spinal surgery may pose diagnostic challenges and difficult management questions. Postoperative spinal infections present with a diverse degree of severity, from superficial skin incision infections to deep subfascial infections with myonecrosis. Definitive management is based on etiology, clinical course, and patient risk factors.