title: Surgical Adhesive Drape (IO-ban) as Postoperative Surgical Site Dressing.
abstract: METHODS
  Retrospective chart analysis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to describe the senior author's (MNN) experience applying a widely available surgical drape as a postoperative sterile surgical site dressing for both cranial and spinal procedures.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Surgical site infection (SSI) is an important complication of spine surgery that can result in significant morbidity. There is wide variation in wound care management in practice, including dressing type. Given the known bactericidal properties of the surgical drape, there may be a benefit of continuing its use immediately postoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  All of the senior author's cases from September 2014 through September 2015 were reviewed. These were contrasted to the previous year prior to the institution of a sterile surgical drape as a postoperative dressing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only one surgical case out of 157 operative interventions (35 cranial, 124 spinal) required operative debridement due to infection. From September 2013 to September 2014, prior to the institution of a sterile surgical drape as dressing, the author had five infections out of 143 operations (46 cranial, 97 spinal) requiring intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of a sterile surgical drape as a closed postoperative surgical site dressing has led to a decrease in surgical site infections. The technique is simple and widely available, and should be considered for use to diminish surgical site infections.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Felbaum
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.
authors.forename: Hasan R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.
authors.forename: Jason E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.
authors.forename: Ribhu T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Jha
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital.
authors.forename: Mani N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Nair
keywords: postoperative infection; spine infection; surgical site infections