A Retrospective Study on the Protective Effects of Topical Vancomycin in Patients Undergoing Multilevel Spinal Fusion

Abstract

Topical vancomycin administered in addition to IV cefazolin was associated with a decreased risk of SSI in high-risk MLSF patients. Female patients and those with diabetes mellitus were at higher risk of developing postsurgical infection. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results and to define the most clinically effective dose of topical vancomycin in this patient population.