• Clinton J Devin, Silky Chotai, Matthew J McGirt, Alexander R Vaccaro, Jim A Youssef, Douglas G Orndorff, Paul M Arnold, Anthony K Frempong-Boadu, Isador H Lieberman, Charles Branch, Hirad S Hedayat, Ann Liu, Jeffrey C Wang, Robert E Isaacs, Kris E Radcliff, Joshua C Patt, and Kristin R Archer.
• Department of Orthopedics and Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
• Spine. 2018 Jan 1; 43 (1): 65-71.

Study DesignSecondary analysis of data from a prospective multicenter observational study.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients with and without intrawound vancomycin application controlling for confounding factors associated with higher SSI after elective spine surgery.Summary Of Background DataSSI is a morbid and expensive complication associated with spine surgery. The application of intrawound vancomycin is rapidly emerging as a solution to reduce SSI following spine surgery. The impact of intrawound vancomycin has not been systematically studied in a well-designed multicenter study.MethodsPatients undergoing elective spine surgery over a period of 4 years at seven spine surgery centers across the United States were included in the study. Patients were dichotomized on the basis of whether intrawound vancomycin was applied. Outcomes were occurrence of SSI within postoperative 30 days and SSI that required return to the operating room (OR). Multivariable random-effect log-binomial regression analyses were conducted to determine the relative risk of having an SSI and an SSI with return to OR.Results.: A total of 2056 patients were included in the analysis. Intrawound vancomycin was utilized in 47% (n = 966) of patients. The prevalence of SSI was higher in patients with no vancomycin use (5.1%) than those with use of intrawound vancomycin (2.2%). The risk of SSI was higher in patients in whom intrawound vancomycin was not used (relative risk (RR) -2.5, P < 0.001), increased number of levels exposed (RR -1.1, P = 0.01), and those admitted postoperatively to intensive care unit (ICU) (RR -2.1, P = 0.005). Patients in whom intrawound vancomycin was not used (RR -5.9, P < 0.001), increased number of levels were exposed (RR-1.1, P = 0.001), and postoperative ICU admission (RR -3.3, P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for SSI requiring a return to the OR.ConclusionThe intrawound application of vancomycin after posterior approach spine surgery was associated with a reduced risk of SSI and return to OR associated with SSI.Level Of Evidence2.

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