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Published on: October 22, 2014
Risk factors for explantation due to infection after sacral neuromodulation: a multicenter retrospective case-control
Emily N B Myer1, Andrey Petrikovets2, Paul D Slocum3
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Infection after sacral neuromodulation is uncommon, affecting 1.97% of patients. Postoperative hematoma and deep device pockets (≥3 cm) significantly increase infection risk, necessitating meticulous surgical technique.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Infectious Disease
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Sacral neuromodulation is effective for overactive bladder, urinary retention, and fecal incontinence.
- Infection following sacral neurostimulation poses significant costs and burdens.
- Optimizing perioperative management is crucial for reducing infection risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify risk factors for sacral neurostimulator infection requiring explantation.
- Estimate the incidence of infection necessitating device explantation.
- Characterize associated microbial pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Multicenter retrospective case-control study (2004-2014) of sacral neuromodulation procedures.
- Matched 38 cases with explantation for infection to 72 controls.
- Used Fisher exact and Student t tests, followed by multivariable logistic regression.
Main Results:
- The incidence of infection requiring explant was 1.97%.
- Postoperative hematoma (13% vs 0%) and pocket depth ≥3 cm (21% vs 0%) were independently associated with increased infection risk.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (38%).
Conclusions:
- Infection after sacral neuromodulation requiring explant is infrequent.
- Postoperative hematoma and deep pocket depth (≥3 cm) are significant risk factors for infection.
- Meticulous hemostasis and shallow pocket creation (<3 cm) are vital for preventing infection.
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