An assessment of key risk factors for surgical site infection in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastases

Objectives
This study aimed to determine the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastases, and identify key risk factors for SSI among this patient group.
Methods
A retrospective case note review was undertaken in 152 adult patients being treated at a single specialist centre for spinal surgery.
Results
Overall SSI rate was 11.2% per patients (9.7% per procedure). An increase in the risk of SSI was
observed when surgery involved a greater number of vertebral levels (odds ratio 1.26, P=0.019) when controlling for primary spinal region. Controlling for the number of spinal levels, the odds of SSI increased by a factor of 5.6 (P=0.103) when the primary surgical region was thoracic, as opposed
to cervical or lumbar.
Conclusions
In conclusion, surgery associated with multiple vertebral levels for treatment of spinal metastases,
particularly of the thoracic spine, is associated with increased risk of SSI.