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Meningitis complicating spinal surgery
R S Twyman1, P Robertson, M G Thomas
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Auckland Hospital and School of Medicine, New Zealand.
Study Design:
A retrospective review of all cases of bacterial meningitis after spinal surgery.
Objectives:
To identify the usual clinical and laboratory features, and to determine the frequency of this complication.
Summary Of Background Data:
Meningitis has been recognized as a rare complication of spinal surgery, but no series of cases has been reported previously, and there are no published estimates of its frequency.
Methods:
A retrospective review of the medical records of all cases of bacterial meningitis after spinal surgery in Auckland over a 3-year period was done.
Results:
Four cases were identified after 2180 operations, an incidence of 0.18%. All four patients survived.
Conclusions:
This is a rare complication from which a good outcome is possible with early diagnosis and prompt management.