title: Chronic infections of the spine.
abstract: Chronic infections following posterior fusion are relatively uncommon. They develop in a previous asymptomatic patient at a distant time from the surgery. Chronic infections arise from direct inoculation or hematogenous seeding. To eradicate a chronic infection, the pathogens, biofilm, non-viable tissues, adherence on surfaces, and instrumentation must be removed. The appropriate antibiotherapy is used in a short (4 weeks) or long protocol (9 weeks). Some patients may need repeated surgeries (leaving the instrumentation in situ) to avoid progressive deformity or symptomatic pseudoarthrosis in cases of implant removal.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Raquis, Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La FE, Valencia, Spain. teresabas@gmail.com
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bas
authors.forename: Paloma
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bas
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blasco
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bas
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003646:Debridement; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013131:Spine / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents