Vertebral Discitis and Osteomyelitis

Postoperative spine infections

“…There are numerous influences on the development of postoperative infection that may be divided into two categories: i) unchangeable strictly patient-related, and ii) changeable or procedure-related. 7 , 21-24 …”

“…The so-called unchangeable risk factors include patient age (older than 70), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and medical conditions of which the most important are diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, obesity, smoking, malignancy, steroid use, previous lumbar surgery, nutritional status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunologic competency. 1-3 , 7 , 9 , 20 , 21 , 24 , 25 Further -more, the immunocompromized state related to diabetes predisposes patients to becoming infected with uncommon organisms. 26-28 The nutritional status of the patient should be considered as a stand-alone risk, malnoutrished patients are 15 times more likely to acquire an infection after spinal procedures.…”

“… 26-28 The nutritional status of the patient should be considered as a stand-alone risk, malnoutrished patients are 15 times more likely to acquire an infection after spinal procedures. 9 , 21 , 22 , 29 Many authors consider a low blood level of albumin and a low number of white blood cells as a marker of a weak immune system and therefore a risk factor for infection.…”

Postoperative spine infections

“…There are numerous influences on the development of postoperative infection that may be divided into two categories: i) unchangeable strictly patient-related, and ii) changeable or procedure-related. 7,[21][22][23][24] Patient's related risk factors…”

“…The so-called unchangeable risk factors include patient age (older than 70), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and medical conditions of which the most important are diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, obesity, smoking, malignancy, steroid use, previous lumbar surgery, nutritional status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunologic competency. [1][2][3]7,9,20,21,24,25 Furthermore, the immunocompromized state related to diabetes predisposes patients to becoming infected with uncommon organisms. [26][27][28] The nutritional status of the patient should be considered as a stand-alone risk, malnoutrished patients are 15 times more likely to acquire an infection after spinal procedures.…”