ArticleSpine deformity2021
Is Propionibacterium acnes becoming the most common bacteria in delayed infections following adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery?
Article in Spine deformity, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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4 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.
- Case of osteomyelitis caused bySurgical neurology international · 2025Article
- Global research characteristics and trends of infection after spinal implant surgery: a bibliometric analysis.Annals of translational medicine · 2023Article
- Article
- Indolent Infection After Lumbar Interbody Fusion: An Under-recognized Cause of Pseudarthrosis, Which Can Be Successfully Treated With Anterior Revision Fusion.Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
STUDY
designRetrospective review of hospital charts.
objective(1) To determine the microbiological profile of patients with surgical site infections following posterior spinal fusion surgery (PSF) for Adolescent Idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). (2) To study the treatment outcome of patients with surgical site infections (SSI) following surgery for AIS. (3) To identify the key differences in presentation and management of acute and delayed SSI following AIS surgery. There has been increasing evidence of the role of P. acnes in deep surgical site infections. Literature related to this is abundant in relation to shoulder arthroplasty; however, it is sparse in relation to spine surgery.
methodsWe conducted a retrospective review of all patients treated for AIS during a 5-year period (2010-2014) at our institution, with a minimum of 2-year follow-up after the index surgery. Patients with a postoperative infection following their index surgery were included. Charts of AIS patients with post-op infections were reviewed for details of the index surgery, time to presentation of the infection, presenting signs/symptoms, microbiology details, details of surgical and antibiotic treatment, and outcomes.
resultsNine (2.8%) post-op infections were identified out of 315 cases for AIS during this period. Seven (2.2%) involved P. acnes. Two (0.6%) involved MSSA. The average time for cultures to show growth was 6.1 days (range 5-8 days) in P. acnes group and 2-3 days in MSSA group. Patients with P. acnes infections were treated with implant removal, debridement and antibiotics. All patients achieved solid fusion except two patients from the P. acnes group had pseudoarthrosis and had to undergo revision fusion.
conclusionPropionibacterium acnes was the single most common bacteria isolated from delayed surgical site infection following PSF in AIS patients. Optimal treatment consists of debridement, implant removal and antibiotics. These patients have high incidence of pseudoarthrosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.
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