Topical streptomycin irrigation of lesions to prevent postoperative site infections in spinal tuberculosis: a retrospective analysis

PurposeIn spinal tuberculosis surgery, topical administration of drugs to the lesion is a preventive treatment measure. The aim is to achieve better bacterial inhibition and to prevent complications. As one of the most common complications after spinal tuberculosis surgery, many factors can lead to surgical site infection (SSI). No definitive reports of local streptomycin irrigation of the lesion and SSI of spinal tuberculosis have been seen. This study analyzed data related to surgical site infections (SSI) after the treatment of spinal tuberculosis using this regimen.MethodsIn this study, 31 were in the observation group (streptomycin flush) and 34 in the control group (no streptomycin flush). All patients received the same standard of perioperative care procedures. General information, operative time, intraoperative bleeding, ESR and CRP at one week postoperatively, time on antibiotics, total drainage, days in hospital, incision infection rate and secondary debridement rate were compared between the two groups.ResultsPatients in both groups completed the surgery successfully. The ESR and CRP levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group one week after surgery (p < 0.05); the duration of postoperative antibiotics and hospital stay were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05); the incidence of SSI in the two groups was 5.88% and 6.45% respectively, with no significant difference (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe use of topical streptomycin irrigation of the lesion during surgical procedures for spinal tuberculosis had no significant effect on the incidence of SSI, however, it helped to control the level of infection in the postoperative period and reduced the length of time patients had to use postoperative antibiotics and the number of days they stayed in hospital. Future prospective randomised controlled trials in more centres and larger samples are recommended.

Automated summary

In spinal tuberculosis surgery, topical administration of drugs to the lesion is a preventive treatment measure. This study compared the use of streptomycin flush and no flush in the treatment of spinal tuberculosis and found that streptomycin flush helped control postoperative infections and reduced the duration of antibiotic use and hospital stay.