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Surgeon practices regarding infection prevention for growth friendly spinal procedures
Michael P Glotzbecker1, Sumeet Garg, Behrooz A Akbarnia
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Hunnewell 2, Boston, MA, 02115, USA, michael.glotzbecker@childrens.harvard.edu.
Journal of Children'S Orthopaedics
|April 19, 2014
Summary
Infection prevention in pediatric spinal surgery for early onset scoliosis shows significant variability among surgeons. Standardizing practices could potentially improve patient outcomes and reduce infection rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Spine Surgery
- Scoliosis Treatment
- Infection Prevention
Background:
- Infection rates in growth sparing surgery for early onset scoliosis can reach 25%.
- Existing research indicates considerable variation in infection prevention strategies for adolescent and neuromuscular scoliosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey experienced pediatric spinal surgeons regarding infection prevention methods in growth-friendly spinal procedures.
- To identify current practices and variability in infection control for early onset scoliosis surgery.
Main Methods:
- A 21-question survey was electronically distributed to members of the Chest Wall Spinal Deformity Study Group and the Growing Spine Study Group.
- The survey received 40 responses (70% completion rate) from 57 surgeons.
Main Results:
- Significant variability in surgical practices was observed across most survey questions.
- Areas of equipoise included MRSA screening, antibiotic protocols, drain use, and skin preparation.
Conclusions:
- Variability in surgical practice may negatively impact clinical outcomes.
- Addressing areas of clinical equipoise can inform multicenter studies to reduce infections in this patient population.
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