ABSTRACT
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the most common hospital-acquired infections in the postoperative period. The reported incidence of SSIs in adults undergoing spinal operations ranges from 0.7" to 16". Spinal infections are often caused by either bacteria or fungi. The majority of spinal infections are bacterial organisms. Diagnosis of spinal infections requires support by clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings. Early diagnosis of SSI following spine surgery is crucial to initiate treatment and prevent further progression. The typical symptoms of SSI include fever and signs of inflammation such as tenderness, erythema, swelling, and warmth. The gold standard to diagnose infection is by culture obtained intraoperatively under sterile conditions. Such cultures are not only helpful to diagnose infection, but also identify a specific pathogen and its drug sensitivities. Spinal infections are difficult to manage and require careful diagnosis of infection.
