ABSTRACT
Patients with surgical site infections that are readily apparent on initial examination will nearly always undergo irrigation and debridement as soon as possible unless there is compelling evidence via imaging that the infection is limited to cellulitis. The expectations about surgery in the setting of chronic infection are to eradicate the infection to allow successful fusion and/or to allow the patient to clear the infection and come off antibiotics. Patients who have undergone previous cervical or lumbar spine surgery who present with a fever should first undergo a standard fever workup to rule out the most common causes of postoperative infections or unrelated infection if the history of surgery is remote. The operative technique is heavily dependent on the index surgery. Similar to the index procedures, postoperative management for the patients involves providing adequate pain management and early mobilization with physical therapy.
