Antimicrobial prophylaxis to prevent surgical site infection in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion: 2 doses versus antibiotics till drain removal

Purpose There is much variation in the choice, timing and duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis for preventing surgical site infections (SSI) but no guideline exists for scoliosis surgery. The aim of study was to compare the efficacy of two antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) protocols with cephazolin in preventing SSI in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods A retrospective comparative analysis of two post-operative AMP protocols (two postoperative doses versus continued antibiotics till drain removal) was performed. Patient characteristics, pre-operative, intra- and post-operative risk factors for infection, drain use, generic drug name and number of doses administered were recorded from 226 patients with AIS who had undergone posterior spinal fusion. Details of superficial or deep SSI and wound healing aberrations, and serious adverse events were recorded. Analysis was performed to evaluate differences in the pre-, intra- and post-operative variables between the two groups. Results 155 patients received 2 postoperative doses of AMP and 71 patients had antibiotics till drain removal. The average follow-up was 43 months. The overall rate of SSI was 1.7 % for the spine wound and 1.3 % for the iliac crest wound. 1.9 % of patients with 2 doses of AMP and 1.4 % of patients with antibiotics till drain removal had SSI. No adverse reactions attributable to cephazolin were observed. Conclusions This is the first study on the AMP protocol in scoliosis surgery for SSI prevention. Results suggest that two doses of AMP are as effective as continued antimicrobial use until drain removal. Cephazolin appears to be effective and safe for prophylaxis.