Surgical site infection, including deep infection, is a common complication after spine surgery. A study in Spine evaluated the effect of postoperative spinal infections on patient mortality.
Here are five things to know.
1. This retrospective, matched cohort study aimed to assess the association between SSI and mortality and to identify factors that predict mortality in patients diagnosed with SSI.
2. Patients from a single center requiring reoperation for SSI following elective spine surgery between 2005 and 2013 were retrospectively identified. The patients were then matched one-to-three with patients undergoing elective spine surgery without SSI. The study authors used the Social Security Death Index to identify deceased patients and their time of death. The SSI cohort was also assessed for predictors of mortality following SSI.
3. Of the patients, 195 developed SSI. Predictors of two-year mortality in the SSI cohort included increased age and increased Charlson Comorbidity Index.
4. The surgical region and approach, days to infection and reason for elective surgery did not influence mortality.
5. SSI leads to significant morbidity in the postoperative period, with the risk of reoperation, prolonged hospitalization and the need for other invasive procedures. SSI is associated with increased mortality after elective spine surgery.
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