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Postoperative disc space infection after discectomy: a report on thirty-five patients
1Basrah Medical College, Basrah, Iraq. thamerhamdan_170@yahoo.com
Purpose:
The focus of this study was to analyse the patient with disc space infection and the need for re-exploration.
Method:
Thirty-five patients were analysed within the period from April 1992 and May 2011. The diagnosis was confirmed by the cardinal clinical features, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], raised C-reactive protein and MRI findings. All received 500-mg intravenous amikacin and one gram ceftriaxone at the time of anaesthetic induction and six hours after surgery.
Results:
Age range was between 25-62 years. The appearance of symptoms was between four days and three weeks. Nine patients had silent chronic urinary tract infection. Twenty-nine patients had re-exploration while the others did well on conservative treatment. Neurological deficit was not recorded. All recovered well within six to nine months.
Conclusion:
Re-exploration is recommended if no response is achieved after four day's conservative treatment for or if the patient's condition is critical.
Insights
This study analyzed disc space infections, finding that most patients required re-exploration for recovery. Conservative treatment was effective for a few, but critical cases necessitated surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Spinal Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Disc space infection is a serious complication following spinal procedures.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze patients with disc space infection.
- To determine the necessity of re-exploration for treating disc space infections.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 35 patients diagnosed with disc space infection between April 1992 and May 2011.
- Diagnosis confirmed via clinical features, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, and MRI.
- All patients received intravenous amikacin and ceftriaxone.
Main Results:
- The study included patients aged 25-62 years, with symptom onset between 4 days and 3 weeks.
- Twenty-nine out of 35 patients underwent re-exploration; the remainder improved with conservative treatment.
- No neurological deficits were recorded, and all patients recovered within 6-9 months.
Conclusions:
- Re-exploration is recommended for disc space infections unresponsive to 4 days of conservative treatment.
- Surgical intervention is advised for critically ill patients with disc space infections.
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