There were 314 patients involved in a multilevel thoracolumbar spine surgery where a drain was used postoperatively. The patients either received antibiotics for 24 hours after surgery or antibiotics for the entire time the drain was in place.
The researchers found:
1. Among the patients who had antibiotics for 24 hours after surgery, 12.4 percent reported surgical site infection.
2. There were 13.2 percent of the patients who had surgical site infections in the group that had antibiotics for the entire time the drain was used.
3. There weren’t significant differences in demographic characteristics between the two groups, and both groups had similar operative time, drain output and length of stay.
4. The researchers concluded, “Continuing perioperative administration of antibiotics for the entire duration that a drain is in place after spinal surgery did not decrease the rate of surgical site infection.”
5. There are worse outcomes and higher costs associated with patients who have surgical site infection and need additional care.
More articles on spine surgery:
Spine devformity health-related quality of life—5 key notes
Paradigm shift: Which innovations have changed the way spine care is delivered?
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