Strategies of management of deep spinal infection: from irrigation and debridement to vacuum-assisted closure treatment.

Postoperative surgical site problems (PSSPs) following spinal surgery may lead to patient mortality, increased treatment costs and possible recurrent medical interventions. Despite efforts to reduce spinal surgery-related infection rates, complications are common and significantly increased by patient comorbidities. Since PSSPs occur regardless of deterrent measures, it is essential to distinguish the related risk factors. Different treatment conventions for PSSPs, for example, antibiotic treatment, debridement, soft tissue care and removal of implants have been prescribed with blended outcomes. The utilization of the wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system has gained increasing popularity in the management of deep wound infections after deformity surgery. 2020 Annals of Translational Medicine. All rights reserved.