Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026
In Vivo Mouse Model of Spinal Implant Infection
Published on: June 23, 2020
Variables associated with remission in spinal surgical site infections
Julien Billières1, Ilker Uçkay2, Antonio Faundez1
1Division of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
Background:
There is few medical literature regarding factors associated with remission after surgical and medical treatment of postoperative spine infections.
Methods:
Single-centre case-control study 2007-2014. Cluster-controlled Cox regression model with emphasis on surgical and antibiotic-related parameters.
Results:
Overall, we found 66 episodes in 48 patients (49 episodes with metalwork) who had a median follow-up of 2.6 years (range, 0.5 to 6.8 years). The patients had a median of two surgical debridements. The median duration of antibiotic therapy was 8 weeks, of which 2 weeks parenteral. Clinical recurrence after treatment was noted in 13 episodes (20%), after a median interval of 2 months. In 53 cases (80%), the episodes were considered as in remission. By multivariate analyses, no variable was associated with remission. Especially, the following factors were not significantly related to remission: number of surgical interventions [hazard ratio (HR) 0.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.8-1.1]; infection due to Staphylococcus aureus (HR 0.9; 0.8-1.1), local antibiotic therapy (HR 1.2; 0.6-2.4), and, duration of total (HR 1.0; 0.99-1.01) (or just parenteral) (HR 1.0; 0.99-1.01) antibiotic use.
Conclusions:
In patients with post-operative spine infections, remission is achieved in 80%. The number of surgical debridement or duration of antibiotic therapy shows no association with recurrence, suggesting that individual risk factors might be more important than the duration of antibiotic administration.
Insights
Eighty percent of patients achieve remission from postoperative spine infections. Neither the number of surgical debridements nor antibiotic duration significantly impacts remission rates, suggesting individual patient factors are key for successful treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Spine Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Research
Background:
- Limited medical literature exists on factors influencing remission in postoperative spine infections.
- Understanding remission predictors is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors associated with remission in patients treated for postoperative spine infections.
- To analyze the impact of surgical and antibiotic parameters on infection remission.
Main Methods:
- A single-centre case-control study was conducted from 2007 to 2014.
- A cluster-controlled Cox regression model was employed, focusing on surgical and antibiotic parameters.
- Data included patient demographics, treatment details, and follow-up outcomes.
Main Results:
- 80% of 66 infection episodes in 48 patients achieved remission after a median follow-up of 2.6 years.
- Recurrence was observed in 20% of cases after a median of 2 months.
- Multivariate analysis revealed no significant association between remission and the number of surgical debridements, Staphylococcus aureus infection, local antibiotic therapy, or duration of antibiotic use.
Conclusions:
- Remission rates for postoperative spine infections are high (80%).
- The duration of antibiotic therapy and the number of surgical interventions do not appear to significantly influence remission.
- Individual patient risk factors may play a more critical role in achieving remission than treatment duration.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...