Postoperative deep wound infection in instrumented spinal surgery.

This study was designed to analyze the frequency, nature and risk factors of postoperative deep wound infection in instrumented spinal surgery. The infection rate of 174 instrumented spinal operations was documented. The patients were investigated in terms of risk factors. Infections occurring after 12 months were considered as late. Eight (4.6%) acute infections occurred and were treated by early surgical debridement. Three (1.7%) late reactions were noted; they were treated by implant removal. These late reactions were not bacterial infections, but rather foreign body reactions around the implants. Metallic debris due to micromotion especially around the rod and the crosslink connections caused this inflammation. Metallic debris may cause a foreign body reaction mimicking late infection which resolves after debridement and implant removal.