The combined administration of vancomycin IV, standard prophylactic antibiotics, and vancomycin powder in spinal instrumentation surgery: does the routine use affect infection rates and bacterial resistance?

Abstract

The combined antibiotic strategy led to low SSI rates in this retrospective case control study. Limitations of this study include retrospective design and small sample size. A large multicenter randomized clinical trial may provide further insight in the effectiveness of this strategy. Level of evidence 3. Clinical relevance: the combined antibiotic protocol may be considered in institutions with concern for SSI and methicillin resistant infections associated with spinal instrumentation surgeries.