TY - JOUR ID - TI - The effectiveness of vancomycin injection in disc space during lumbar discectomy in prevention of postoperative discitis AU - Hayder Qatran Raheem PY - 2012 VL - 11 IS - 2 SP - 11 EP - 14 JO - Mustansiriya Medical Journal مجلة المستنصرية الطبية SN - 20701128 22274081 AB - Background: Post discectomy disc space infection is relativelyuncommon 4 %; nevertheless it is the most disabling causes of failed backsurgery.Aims: To assess the effectiveness of intra-discal vancomycin indiscectomy operation, we evaluated operative time, blood loss,postoperative complications (discitis) by measuring CRP, ESR andtemperature in the preoperative and postoperative period. Blood culturewas done in complicated case postoperatively. Social habit (smoking &drinking alcohol) and past medical history (Diabetes Mellitus) had beentaking in consideration.Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study on 150 patientsoperated upon by lumber discectomy, 75 cases have been treated byinjection of 4 ml of (2 mg/ml) vancomycin in the disc space that removedwhile in the other 75, 4 ml of normal saline was injected in the disc space(placebo).Results: There were 6 cases of postoperative discitis, all in the placebogroup. There were 4 men and 2 women, ranging in age between 26 and63 years. 3 were diabetics. All cases were in L4-5 disc space. Thefrequency of discitis was (4 %).In vancomycin group the frequency was0% and in placebo group 6/75 (8 %).Conclusions: We concluded that the intra-operative prophylaxis withvancomycin intra-discaly is effective in prevention of postoperativediscitis.

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