Management of wound infection after posterior pedicle screws correction surgery of degenerative scoliosis

Objective To study the diagnosis and treatment of wound infection after degenerative scoliosis of posterior pedicle screws correction technique.Methods The management of 10 patients with wound infection after posterior pedicle screws correction of degenerative scoliosis was retrospectively analyzed.Two cases had superficial wound infection and received simple debridement and dressing change.Eight cases had deep delayed wound infection,of whom 5 underwent debridement and irrigation-suction,and 3 proved to have bone graft union and underwent removal of implant and primary suture of incision.Results The wound healed after treatment in 8 of 10 cases,infection reoccurred in 2 cases of deep delayed wound infection 4 months and 8 months after debridement and irrigation-suction.Wound healed in all the patients who had radiographically confirmed bone graft union and underwent removal of implant,debridement,irrigation-suction,and primary suture of incision.Conclusions Wound infection is a severe complication after posterior pedicle screws correction of degenerative scoliosis.Superficial infection can be healed after simple debridement and dressing changie.Debridement and irrigation-suction is an effective method,facilitating bone graft union.Removal of implant is not indispensable.