Comparison of Antibiotic Protocols in Spine Patients With Postoperative Drains

Surgical Wound Infection Clinical Trial

Official title: Prospective, Randomized Study of the Utilization of Antibiotics and Drains in Spinal Surgery

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

In spine surgery, postoperative spinal drains are often utilized to prevent fluid buildup around the spinal cord. The purpose of this study is to determine whether postoperative antibiotic treatment continued for the duration of time a drain is in place results in a lower infection rate than antibiotics given for only 24 hours postoperatively.

Clinical Trial Description

Patients likely to receive postoperative spinal drains were enrolled and randomized preoperatively to receive one of two postoperative antibiotic treatments, either for 24 hours after surgery or for the duration of time the spinal drain was in place. If patients did not receive at least one spinal drain during surgery, they were excluded from the infection analysis and received the institutional standard of 24 hours of postoperative antibiotics. Patients that did receive drains were treated according to their randomization and followed for a minimum of one year for the incidence of surgical site infection. The diagnosis of surgical site infection was determined using the definition provided for the Center for Disease Control (CDC). All patients that developed surgical site infections were treated as appropriate by the attending physician. ;

Study Design

Observational Model: Cohort, Time Perspective: Prospective

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Spinal Deformity
• Spinal Degeneration
• Surgical Wound Infection
• Wound Infection

• NCT number: NCT01608854
• Study type: Observational
• Source: New York University School of Medicine
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: November 2008
• Completion date: April 2012