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17-Year-Delayed Fistula Formation After Elective Spinal Instrumentation: A Case Report
Hamid Etemadrezaei1, Samira Zabihyan1, Aidin Shakeri1
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS), Mashhad, IR Iran.
Introduction:
A late-developing infection after an uneventful initial spinal instrumentation procedure is rare. Delayed infection and new fistula formation have been reported from a few months to 13 years. Here we report an unusual 17-year-delayed fistula formation after primary spinal instrumentation. The patient underwent hardware removal surgery with antibiotic therapy as a definitive treatment.
Case Presentation:
Here we report an unusual 17-year delayed fistula formation after primary spinal instrumentation due to spinal trauma. He was admitted to Ghaem General Hospital, a chief referral center, Mashhad, North-East of Iran in August 2014. The patient underwent hardware removal surgery with antibiotic therapy as a definitive treatment.
Conclusions:
Late inflammation may occur around spinal instruments and results in cutaneous fistula formation. After oral or intravenous antibiotic treatment, total device extraction is the cornerstone of treatment.
