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Chronic infections of the Spine

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European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unidad de Raquis, Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La FE, Valencia, Spain

    Teresa Bas, Paloma Bas & Alejandro Blasco

  2. Trauma Unit, Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain

    José Luis Bas

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  1. Teresa Bas
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  2. Paloma Bas
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  3. Alejandro Blasco
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  4. José Luis Bas
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Correspondence to Teresa Bas.

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Bas, T., Bas, P., Blasco, A. et al. Chronic infections of the Spine. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 23 (Suppl 1), 35–40 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-013-1245-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-013-1245-7

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