Can prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy improve clinical outcomes in spinal fusion surgery? A meta-analysis

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: An Analysis of Its Effectiveness on the Reduction of Postoperative Infection in Posterior Spine Surgery

BACKGROUND

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been used for postsurgical wound management across various disciplines, including spinal surgery. However, its efficacy in reducing wound infection rates after posterior thoracolumbar spine surgery remains uncertain.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted at a single institution, examining 266 patients who underwent posterior thoracic, lumbar, or thoracolumbar spine surgery performed by 1 neurosurgeon. Data included NPWT usage, type of surgery, infection rates, prior spinal surgeries, demographics, comorbidities, smoking status, and immune profiles. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate correlations.

RESULTS

Of the 266 patients, 122 (46%) were males, 144 (54%) were females, and 213 (80%) were Black. Patients had a mean age of 56.4 years and an average body mass index of 29.6 kg/m2. NPWT was applied to 153 patients (57.5%). Postoperative wound infections occurred in 35 patients (13%), with 19 (54%) in the NPWT group. Overall, NPWT use was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in infection rates (P = 0.69). However, analysis of patients with multiple comorbidities showed a significant decrease in infections with NPWT (P < 0.01). A total of 198 patients (74.4%) had at least 1 comorbidity, and 10.1% (n = 20) had 2 or more major comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

NPWT significantly reduced infection rates in patients with multiple comorbidities, suggesting its potential benefit in managing wound infections in this subgroup. This finding is particularly relevant for an urban, minority patient population, highlighting the importance of tailored wound care strategies.

Latent Spinal Implant Infection During Pregnancy: A Case Report

Deep spinal surgical site infections (SSIs) following spine surgery pose a significant concern, with management becoming even more complex and high-risk in pregnant patients with spinal instrumentation. The optimal approach to managing this rare scenario remains unclear. We present the case of a 33-year-old pregnant woman who developed a delayed, deep spinal SSI several years after undergoing instrumented fusion for scoliosis. Due to her pregnancy, intervention was deferred until the postpartum period. A multidisciplinary team successfully managed the case with extensive debridement, removal of all instrumentation, and subsequent antibiotic therapy. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex SSIs during pregnancy. Given the limited data available, we advocate for individualized treatment decisions guided by a thorough risk-benefit analysis. Further research is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for managing SSIs in this unique patient population.

Prophylactic closed-incisional negative pressure wound therapy following posterior instrumented spinal fusion: a single surgeon's experience and cost-benefit analysis

PURPOSE

Surgical site infections (SSIs) following spine surgery are associated with morbidity and resource utilization. Applying prophylactic closed-incisional negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) during posterior instrumented fusion has mixed results in reducing rates of wound complications and SSI. We evaluated the clinical efficacy and potential cost-savings associated with ciNPWT in high-risk patients receiving posterior instrumented spinal fusion.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients receiving posterior instrumented spinal fusion for any surgical indication between July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019, and compared rates of wound dehiscence, SSI, and reoperation for wound complications between standard surgical dressings and ciNPWT. Surgical dressing selection was based on the senior author's assessment of infection risk factors.

RESULTS

A total of 229 patients (n = 85 standard surgical dressings, n = 144 ciNPWT) were included. The ciNPWT group had significantly more risk factors for wound-related complications, including older age (61.8 vs. 58.5 years, p = 0.042), diabetes mellitus (36.8% vs. 23.5%, p = 0.037), more instrumented levels (5.6 vs. 3.9, p < 0.0001), estimated blood loss (1298 vs. 998 mL, p = 0.036), and deformity was the predominant operative indication (29.9% vs. 17.7%, p = 0.040). Prophylactic ciNPWT was associated with significantly lower rates of wound dehiscence (21.5% vs. 34.1%, p = 0.036) and SSI (8.3% vs. 21.2%, p = 0.005). Number needed to treat with ciNPWT to prevent one SSI was 8 patients. The cost of preventing one SSI was $4,560. Cost-benefit analysis demonstrated a potential mean savings of $21,662 per operative SSI prevented and $270,775 per 100 patients undergoing posterior instrumented fusion with ciNPWT.

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic ciNPWT use is a cost-effective means of reducing rates of wound dehiscence and SSI following posterior instrumented fusion.

Incisional negative pressure wound therapy for the prevention of surgical site complications in Paediatric patients with non-idiopathic scoliosis: A randomized clinical trial

Surgical wound complications are adverse events with important repercussions for the health of patients and health system. Surgical site infections and wound dehiscences are among the most important surgical wound complications, with a high incidence in paediatric patients undergoing surgery for non-idiopathic scoliosis. Incisional negative pressure wound therapy for surgical incisions is used as a preventive measure against surgical wound complications in adults; however, there has been scant evidence for using it in children. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of incisional negative pressure wound therapy in preventing surgical wound complications in paediatric patients undergoing surgery to treat non-idiopathic scoliosis. Randomized clinical trial. Children younger than 18 years of age undergoing surgery for non-idiopathic scoliosis were randomly assigned into two groups to receive one of two different types of dressings for the first 7 days after surgery. One group were treated with a postoperative hydrofibre and hydrocolloid dressing with silver for wounds (control group), and the other group received a single-use incisional negative pressure wound therapy system (intervention group). The wounds were assessed after removal of the dressings at 7 days after surgery and again at 30, 90, and 180 days after surgery. Surgical wound complications, sociodemographic variables, variables related to the procedure and postoperative period, economic costs of treatment of surgical wound complications, and time to healing of the surgical wound were recorded. Per protocol and per intention to treat analysis was made. The per protocol incidence of surgical wound complications was 7.7% in the intervention group versus 38.5% in the control group (p = 0.009; Fisher exact test. RR = 0.20 IC95%: 0.05-0.83). Surgical wound dehiscence, surgical site infections, seroma, and fibrin were the most common surgical wound complications. The type of surgery, duration of surgery, and patients' age were associated with a higher risk for surgical wound complications. Postoperative hydrofibre and hydrocolloid dressing with silver for wounds were found to be associated with a longer time to healing. Initial costs for dressings in the group receiving incisional negative pressure wound therapy were higher, but the total postoperative costs were higher for those receiving postoperative hydrofibre and hydrocolloid dressing with silver for wounds. It was found that for each US$1.00 of extra costs for using incisional negative pressure wound therapy, there was a benefit of US$12.93 in relation to the cost of complications prevented. Incisional negative pressure wound therapy is cost-effective in the prevention of surgical wound complications in children undergoing surgery for non-idiopathic scoliosis.

Vacuum assisted closure and local drug delivery systems in spinal infections: A review of current evidence

Background

Spinal infections are still showing increased incidence throughout the years as our surgical capabilities increase, coupled with an overall aging population with greater number of chronic comorbidities. The management of spinal infection is of utmost importance, due to high rates of morbidity and mortality, on top of the general difficulty in eradicating spinal infection due to the ease of hematogenous spread in the spine. We aim to summarize the utility of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) and local drug delivery systems (LDDS) in the management of spinal infections.

Methods

A narrative review was conducted. All studies that were related to the use of VAC and LDDS in Spinal Infections were included in the study.

Results

A total of 62 studies were included in this review. We discussed the utility of VAC as a tool for the management of wounds requiring secondary closure, as well as how it is increasingly being used after primary closure as prophylaxis for surgical site infections in high-risk wounds of patients undergoing spinal surgery. The role of LDDS in spinal infections was also discussed, with preliminary studies showing good outcomes when patients were treated with various novel LDDS.

Conclusions

We have summarized and given our recommendations for the use of VAC and LDDS for spinal infections. A treatment algorithm has also been established, to act as a guide for spine surgeons to follow when tackling various spinal infections in day-to-day clinical practice.

Combined Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy and Subfascial Suction Drainage: The Suction Taco Approach

An 18-year-old male with T4-L3 adult idiopathic scoliosis was treated with posterior spinal fusion followed by the application of a combined incisional negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and subfascial suction drainage system. In this report, we describe a novel technique that incorporates subfascial drains into an NPWT incisional vacuum system leading to a single exiting suction line. This effectively mitigates drain burden, maintains a sterile environment during the in-hospital postoperative period, provides NPWT to the drain exiting and incisional sites, and provides negative pressure-assisted deep space closure.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Spinal Surgery

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has demonstrated promise in the management of surgical site infections as well as assisting in surgical wound healing. In this manuscript, we describe the mechanisms and applications of NPWT for surgical wounds and existing evidence for NPWT in cardiac, plastic, and general surgery, followed by a discussion of the emerging evidence base for NPWT in spinal surgery. We also discuss the different applications of NPWT for open wounds and closed incisions, and the promise of newer closed-incision NPWT (ciNPWT) devices. There is nominal but promising prospective evidence on NPWT's efficacy in select at-risk populations for post-operative wound complications after spinal surgery. As there is currently a paucity of robust clinical evidence on its efficacy, rigorous randomized prospective clinical trials are needed.

The Utility of Closed Incision Negative Pressure Wound Therapy following Spinal Fusion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To determine if closed incision negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) decreases surgical site infection (SSI) or wound dehiscence following spinal fusion.

METHODS

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to identify studies utilizing ciNPWT following spinal fusion. Funnel plots and quality scores of the articles were performed to determine if the articles were at risk of bias. Forest plots were conducted to identify the treatment effect of ciNPWT following spinal fusion.

RESULTS

A total of 8 studies comprising 1,061 patients who received ciNPWT or a standard postoperative dressing following spinal fusion were included. The rate of SSI [ciNPWT: 4.49% (95% CI: 2.48, 8.00) vs. control: 11.32% (95% CI: 7.51, 16.70), p=0.0103] was significantly lower for patients treated with ciNPWT. A fixed-effects model showed no significant difference between patients who received ciNWPT or a standard postoperative dressing with respect to requiring reoperations for wound debridement (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.64, 2.41). Additionally, wound dehiscence was not significantly different between the two groups although it was non-significantly lower in ciNWPT-treated patients [ciNPWT: 4.59% (95% CI: 2.49, 8.31) vs control: 7.48% (95% CI: 4.38, 12.47), p=0.23].

CONCLUSION

Closed incision NPWT may reduce the rates of SSI following spinal fusion. The use of ciNWPT may also significantly reduce the burden associated with postoperative wound complications, but the meta-analysis was insufficiently powered to make this association. Additional, studies may identify a subset of patients who benefit from ciNPWT for other wound-related complications.

Current management trends for surgical site infection after posterior lumbar spinal instrumentation. A systematic review

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine the fate of spinal implants when the patients develop postoperative wound infection after posterior instrumental fusion in a degenerative spine.

METHODS

A systematic review of the English-language literature (published between January 2001 and July 2020) was undertaken to identify articles documenting the management strategy for surgical-site infections after posterior lumbar spinal fusion. Studies on pedicle screw fixation after trauma, immunocompromised, metastatic spine disease, and combined anterior/posterior approach were excluded. Two independent reviewers assessed the level of evidence quality using the criteria set by the North American Spine Society, and disagreements were resolved by consensus.

RESULTS

Out of the 3,071 citations identified, 49 met the criteria to undergo full-text review. Outcomes after surgical site infections were studied from a combined pool of 1,150 patients undergone instrumental spinal fusion. The collected data showed that 456 patients (39.97%) had undergone spinal implant removal following SSI while 694 patients (60.03%) had their implants retained until the resolution of SSI. There was an absolute risk reduction of 29% (ARR-0.292) and a relative risk reduction of 50.3% (RRR- 0.503) of implant removal if the patient underwent wound debridement following SSI. The NNT for wound debridement was calculated at 3.31 from our pooled cohort. The absolute risk reduction in implant removal following VAC therapy was 16.6% and relative risk reduction was noted at 40.4%. This led to a high value of NNT at 6.0 patients. There was an absolute risk reduction of 33.5% while a Relative Risk Reduction of 70.7% was estimated in patients undergoing continuous irrigation.

CONCLUSION

Our review of the literature suggests that successful eradication of surgical site infection after posterior lumbar spinal fusion can be achieved by wound debridement or VAC therapy with appropriate antimicrobial coverage in most cases. Implant removal is generally reserved for cases refractory to the other treatment modalities.