Enterobacter cloacae infection after anterior cervical decompression and fusion: case study and literature review

Wound infection after anterior cervical decompression and fusion can lead to disastrous consequences despite a low incidence rate. Although Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus are the most common pathogenic bacteria, some rare bacteria such as conditional pathogenic bacteria may also result in such a condition. To the best of our knowledge, E. cloacae-caused acute infection after anterior cervical decompression and fusion has not been reported. Here, we report an E. cloacae-caused acute infection after anterior vertical decompression and fusion. This infection was eventually controlled by virtue of an early diagnosis and the correspondingly-adopted anti-infection, internal fixation removal, and drainage treatments. Exploring the reasons underlying acute infection after anterior cervical decompression and fusion caused by rare bacteria, particularly E. cloacae, by analyzing this case was the basic therapeutic principle in this study. We believe that the therapeutic principle for E. cloacae-caused wound infection after anterior cervical internal fixation is basically consistent with that for other bacterium-caused wound infections after spinal internal fixation. Sufficient drainage, the adoption of sensitive antibacterials, and internal fixation removal as early as possible when necessary are the essential measures in infection control.