R S Twyman1, P Robertson, M G Thomas. 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Auckland Hospital and School of Medicine, New Zealand.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of all cases of bacterial meningitis after spinal surgery. OBJECTIVES: To identify the usual clinical and laboratory features, and to determine the frequency of this complication. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Meningitis has been recognized as a rare complication of spinal surgery, but no series of cases has been reported previously, and there are no published estimates of its frequency. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of all cases of bacterial meningitis after spinal surgery in Auckland over a 3-year period was done. RESULTS: Four cases were identified after 2180 operations, an incidence of 0.18%. All four patients survived. CONCLUSIONS: This is a rare complication from which a good outcome is possible with early diagnosis and prompt management.
STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of all cases of bacterial meningitis after spinal surgery. OBJECTIVES: To identify the usual clinical and laboratory features, and to determine the frequency of this complication. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Meningitis has been recognized as a rare complication of spinal surgery, but no series of cases has been reported previously, and there are no published estimates of its frequency. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of all cases of bacterial meningitis after spinal surgery in Auckland over a 3-year period was done. RESULTS: Four cases were identified after 2180 operations, an incidence of 0.18%. All four patients survived. CONCLUSIONS: This is a rare complication from which a good outcome is possible with early diagnosis and prompt management.