Postoperative multisegmental lumbar discitis treated by staged ventrodorsoventral intervention.
BACKGROUND
Postoperative spinal infections are relatively rare. They can become life-threatening.


METHODS
A 56-year-old man developed multisegmental spinal infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after discectomy at L3/4. A staged ventrodorsoventral intervention was needed for radical debridement and stabilization. After femoral head necrosis developed as a result of the infection, a Girdlestone hip was maintained until the joint was aseptic and a hip prosthesis could be implanted. Two years postoperatively, the patient remained free of infection recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Radical debridement and a tightly controlled antibiotic regimen are necessary for the management of postoperative spinal infections. This should include staged interventions until recovery from infection is possible. Early intervention can prevent systemic sepsis caused by widespread bacterial dissemination.
Robinson
Yohan
Y
Charité-Campus Benjamin Franklin, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Spine Unit, Klinik für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Berlin, Germany.
Reinke
Marcus
M
Kayser
Ralph
R
Ertel
Wolfgang
W
Heyde
Christoph E
CE
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003646:Debridement; D015299:Discitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents