Surgical Infections in Traumatic Spine Injuries

Wound infection after surgical treatment of traumatic spinal injuries is twice more common than after elective spinal surgery. Risk factors include older age, complete neurologic injury, more extensive surgery, posterior surgery, use of high-dose steroids, and prolonged stay in the intensive care unit. Modifiable risk factors should be minimized in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. The key to treatment is prompt irrigation and debridement. Because of the high prevalence of polymicrobial infections, broad-spectrum antibiotics should be administered.