title: Vacuum-assisted closure for deep infection after spinal instrumentation for scoliosis.
abstract: Our aim was to review the efficacy of the wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system in the treatment of deep infection after extensive instrumentation and fusion for spinal deformity in children and adolescents. A total of 14 patients with early deep spinal infection were treated using this technique. Of these, 12 had neuromuscular or syndromic problems. Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed. The mean follow-up was 44 months (24 to 72). All wounds healed. Two patients required plastic surgery to speed up the process. In no patient was the hardware removed and there was no loss of correction or recurrent infection. We believe that the wound VAC system is a useful tool in the armamentarium of the spinal surgeon dealing with patients susceptible to wound infections, especially those with neuromuscular diseases. It allows for the retention of the instrumentation and the maintenance of spinal correction. It is reliable and easy to use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Shriners Hospital for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97237, USA. canavese_federico@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Canavese
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Krajbich
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Emara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008297:Male; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents