| 摘要 |
Objectives: Wound infection after spinal reconstructive surgery is an uncommon, but difficult problem for both the patient and surgeon, and its treatment is unquestionably time-demanding, as well as resource-consuming. This study was conducted with the aim of disclosing the possible risk factors leading to postsurgical wound infections.
Methods: We recruited 30 patients suffering from postoperative spinal infections, from 1991 to 1997, all without pre-existing infection. Fifty out of the total of more than 2000 cases ubdergoing spinal surgery, with a smooth postoperative course during the same period, were randomly chosen as the control group.
Results: Twenty-one cases had deep wound infections, with a majority of them being males. The mean surgical time was significantly longer in the infected group (4.4 hours, P=0.0058). Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly found pathogens, especially in the deep infections. Diabetes mellitus and a co-existing urinary tract infection did elevate the risks for infection as mentioned in other reports. An increased rate of infection was found in patients with traumatic fractures and in those who had lower serum cholesterol levels, which additionally implied an inferior nutritional status.
Conclusion: In this retrospective study, other than the previously reported risk factors, we emphasize on the importance of nutritional status, as well as a special precaution in trauma cases. |
