Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025
In Vivo Mouse Model of Spinal Implant Infection
Published on: June 23, 2020
Intra-wound versus systemic vancomycin for preventing surgical site infection induced by methicillin-resistant S.
Jian Wei1, Hanwen Gu2, Kai Tong2
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Liuzhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, 545006, China. wei19828@163.com.
Background:
Systemic vancomycin administration pre-operatively for the infection prophylaxis of spinal implant surgery remains unsatisfactory. This study aimed to explore the efficacy and dosage of local use of vancomycin powder (VP) in preventing surgical site infections after spinal implant surgery in a rat model.
Methods:
Systemic vancomycin (SV; intraperitoneal injection, 88 mg/kg) or intraoperative intra-wound VP (VP0.5: 44 mg/kg, VP1.0: 88 mg/kg, VP2.0: 176 mg/kg) was applied after spinal implant surgery and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA; ATCC BAA-1026) inoculation in rats. General status, blood inflammatory biomarkers, microbiological and histopathological evaluation were performed during 2 weeks post-surgery.
Results:
No post-surgical deaths, wound complications and obvious signs of vancomycin adverse effects were observed. Bacterial counts, blood and tissue inflammation were reduced in the VP groups compared with the SV group. VP2.0 group showed better outcomes in weight gain and tissue inflammation than the VP0.5 and VP1.0 group. Microbial counts indicated that no bacteria survived in the VP2.0 group, whereas MRSA was detected in VP0.5 and VP1.0 groups.
Conclusions:
Intra-wound VP may be more effective than systemic administration in preventing infection caused by MRSA (ATCC BAA-1026) after spinal implant surgery in a rat model.
Insights
Local vancomycin powder (VP) effectively prevents surgical site infections after spinal implant surgery in rats, outperforming systemic vancomycin (SV). The highest VP dosage (VP2.0) eradicated bacteria and reduced inflammation, offering a promising infection prophylaxis strategy.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Infectious Disease
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Systemic vancomycin for surgical site infection prophylaxis in spinal implant surgery has limitations.
- Developing effective local antibiotic strategies is crucial for preventing post-operative infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and optimal dosage of intra-wound vancomycin powder (VP) for preventing surgical site infections.
- To compare local VP administration with systemic vancomycin (SV) in a rat model of spinal implant surgery.
Main Methods:
- Rats underwent spinal implant surgery followed by inoculation with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
- Treatments included systemic vancomycin (SV) or intra-wound vancomycin powder (VP) at varying dosages (VP0.5, VP1.0, VP2.0).
- Outcomes assessed included general status, inflammatory biomarkers, and microbiological and histopathological evaluations over two weeks.
Main Results:
- No adverse effects or post-surgical complications were observed in any treatment group.
- Vancomycin powder (VP) significantly reduced bacterial counts and inflammation compared to systemic vancomycin (SV).
- The highest VP dosage (VP2.0) demonstrated superior outcomes, including complete bacterial eradication and reduced tissue inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Intra-wound vancomycin powder is a potentially more effective method for preventing MRSA infections after spinal implant surgery compared to systemic administration.
- The VP2.0 dosage showed the most promising results in this rat model.
- Local VP application represents a viable strategy for surgical site infection prophylaxis in spinal implant procedures.
