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Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 90-B, Issue 3, 377-381.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.90B3.19890  
Copyright © 2008 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
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Vacuum-assisted closure for deep infection after spinal instrumentation for scoliosis

F. Canavese, MD, Fellow1; S. Gupta, MBBS, Fellow1; J. I. Krajbich, MD, FRCS (C), Orthopaedic Surgeon, Associate Professor and Chief of Staff1; and K. M. Emara, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery2

1 Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Shriners Hospital for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97237, USA.
2 Ain Shams University Hospital, 13B Kornesh El Nile, Agha Khan, Cairo, Egypt.

Correspondence should be sent to Dr F. Canavese; e-mail: canavese_federico{at}yahoo.fr

Our aim was to review the efficacy of the wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system in the treatment of deep infection after extensive instrumentation and fusion for spinal deformity in children and adolescents.

A total of 14 patients with early deep spinal infection were treated using this technique. Of these, 12 had neuromuscular or syndromic problems. Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed. The mean follow-up was 44 months (24 to 72). All wounds healed. Two patients required plastic surgery to speed up the process. In no patient was the hardware removed and there was no loss of correction or recurrent infection.

We believe that the wound VAC system is a useful tool in the armamentarium of the spinal surgeon dealing with patients susceptible to wound infections, especially those with neuromuscular diseases. It allows for the retention of the instrumentation and the maintenance of spinal correction. It is reliable and easy to use.






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Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General