Research Article

Risk factors, diagnosis, and management of postoperative spinal surgical site infections: a retrospective analysis of 36 cases

Volume: 18 Number: 4 October 1, 2025
TR EN

Risk factors, diagnosis, and management of postoperative spinal surgical site infections: a retrospective analysis of 36 cases

Abstract

Purpose: Postoperative spinal surgical site infections (SSIs) significantly impact patient morbidity, healthcare costs, and recovery. This study aimed to identify risk factors and diagnostic indicators and discuss the treatment modalities for spinal SSI through retrospective analysis. Materials and methods: Data from 36 patients with spinal SSI, operated between January 2014 and January 2018, were retrospectively evaluated. Patient-related and surgery-related risk factors, clinical presentations, laboratory findings, microbiological cultures, radiological imaging, and treatment outcomes were analysed. Results: Among 2,596 spinal surgeries, 36 SSIs (1.39%) occurred. Common risk factors included hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, immunosuppression, and smoking. Early-onset infections (<30 days; 72.2%) presented primarily with wound discharge; late-onset infections (>30 days; 27.8%) were characterised by persistent pain. CRP and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were found to be important diagnostic markers. Culture positivity was higher in early-onset infections; Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen. Deep infections required longer antibiotic therapy and hospital stay (p<0.05). Multidisciplinary management—including surgical debridement, irrigation, vacuum-assisted closure, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy—was essential. Despite aggressive treatment, five patients succumbed to complications. Conclusion: Meticulous risk assessment, early diagnosis using NLR and CRP, culture-guided antibiotic therapy, and individualised multidisciplinary strategies remain crucial for managing spinal SSIs effectively.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Brain and Nerve Surgery (Neurosurgery), Infectious Diseases

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

July 3, 2025

Publication Date

October 1, 2025

Submission Date

May 20, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 30, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 18 Number: 4

APA
Civlan, S., Erbek, N. D., Kiraz, İ., Egemen, E., & Çoşkun, E. (2025). Risk factors, diagnosis, and management of postoperative spinal surgical site infections: a retrospective analysis of 36 cases. Pamukkale Medical Journal, 18(4), 771-782. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1702511
AMA
1.Civlan S, Erbek ND, Kiraz İ, Egemen E, Çoşkun E. Risk factors, diagnosis, and management of postoperative spinal surgical site infections: a retrospective analysis of 36 cases. Pam Med J. 2025;18(4):771-782. doi:10.31362/patd.1702511
Chicago
Civlan, Serkan, Nevzat Doğukan Erbek, İlker Kiraz, Emrah Egemen, and Erdal Çoşkun. 2025. “Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Management of Postoperative Spinal Surgical Site Infections: A Retrospective Analysis of 36 Cases”. Pamukkale Medical Journal 18 (4): 771-82. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1702511.
EndNote
Civlan S, Erbek ND, Kiraz İ, Egemen E, Çoşkun E (October 1, 2025) Risk factors, diagnosis, and management of postoperative spinal surgical site infections: a retrospective analysis of 36 cases. Pamukkale Medical Journal 18 4 771–782.
IEEE
[1]S. Civlan, N. D. Erbek, İ. Kiraz, E. Egemen, and E. Çoşkun, “Risk factors, diagnosis, and management of postoperative spinal surgical site infections: a retrospective analysis of 36 cases”, Pam Med J, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 771–782, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.31362/patd.1702511.
ISNAD
Civlan, Serkan - Erbek, Nevzat Doğukan - Kiraz, İlker - Egemen, Emrah - Çoşkun, Erdal. “Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Management of Postoperative Spinal Surgical Site Infections: A Retrospective Analysis of 36 Cases”. Pamukkale Medical Journal 18/4 (October 1, 2025): 771-782. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1702511.
JAMA
1.Civlan S, Erbek ND, Kiraz İ, Egemen E, Çoşkun E. Risk factors, diagnosis, and management of postoperative spinal surgical site infections: a retrospective analysis of 36 cases. Pam Med J. 2025;18:771–782.
MLA
Civlan, Serkan, et al. “Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Management of Postoperative Spinal Surgical Site Infections: A Retrospective Analysis of 36 Cases”. Pamukkale Medical Journal, vol. 18, no. 4, Oct. 2025, pp. 771-82, doi:10.31362/patd.1702511.
Vancouver
1.Serkan Civlan, Nevzat Doğukan Erbek, İlker Kiraz, Emrah Egemen, Erdal Çoşkun. Risk factors, diagnosis, and management of postoperative spinal surgical site infections: a retrospective analysis of 36 cases. Pam Med J. 2025 Oct. 1;18(4):771-82. doi:10.31362/patd.1702511

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