Delayed infection 6 years after spinal instrumentation: a case report

Infection is the major and important complication of spinal instrumentation generally requiring removal of the implant. Although findings of infection usually appear within a few months after operation, they may appear even after few years in some cases. A case with delayed postoperative infection 6 years after surgery is reported. A 27-year-old female with purulent flow from her anterolateral skin incision scar was diagnosed as delayed spinal infection 6 years after anterior and posterior combined spinal instrumentation performed for treatment of giant cell tumor of L3 vertebral body. Staphylococcus aureus was detected from purulent flow. Infection was treated by removal of the implant and antibiotherapy. Spinal infection after instrumentation may appear even a few years later. Patients must therefore be carefully followed for a long time. Staphylococcus aureus can stay silent for a long time.