Deep wound infection after transpedicular fixation of traumatised thoraco-lumbar spine. Case report of 5 patients.

The authors report 5 deep infections after posterior stabilisation of 96 fractured thoraco-lumbar spine. A transpedicular plate fixation device was used, which was constructed by them. They analyse the reasons of infections and the management of developed wound complications. If the irrigation was ineffective, they left the wound open after debridement and filled up the cavity with Gentamicin PMMA chain. With this management the infections were eliminated withouth neurologic deterioration, but due to infection with considerable loss of spine function.