Management of infected laminectomy wounds

Wound infection after lumbar, thoracic, or cervical laminectomies is a rare but potentially devastating complication. It can range in severity from superficial wound infection to an extensive wound dehiscence. The usual treatment of these wounds consists of intensive local care, debridement, and appropriate antibiotic therapy. Secondary healing can result in chronic, painful wounds that are difficult to manage and can create the potential for osteomyelitis. Seven cases of infected dehiscent laminectomy wounds are presented. Either critical structures were exposed, or the patients did not heal after secondary or delayed primary closures. In each case, full healing was attained by means of reconstruction with a regional muscle flap. We propose that muscle flap reconstruction offers an excellent alternative for the reconstruction of difficult postlaminectomy wounds.