Surgical protocol for infections, nonhealing wound prophylaxis, and analgesia: development and implementation for posterior spinal fusions.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of a surgical protocol for infections, nonhealing wound prophylaxis, and analgesia among patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion at a single tertiary care neurosurgical center.

METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in the neurosurgery department of a tertiary care neurosurgical center and compared a control group of patients who had posterior spinal fusion within 3 months before implementation of a surgical protocol with a study group of patients enrolled within 1 year after protocol implementation. The protocol included a surgical safety checklist, control of modifiable risks associated with surgical site infection, administration of intrawound vancomycin and local analgesia, and standard closure. Postoperative pain, demand for analgesics, and postoperative surgical site infections were assessed among patients before and after the introduction of the protocol.

RESULTS: The control group (n = 35; 30 women; median age [interquartile range], 40 [31-54] years) experienced a higher-than-predicted rate of minor surgical infections and nonhealing wounds (12 patients; 34%). In the study group (n = 113; 74 women; median age [interquartile range], 45 [37-54] years), 11 patients (10%) had minor surgical infections and nonhealing wounds. Introduction of the protocol was associated with a 24% absolute risk reduction for minor surgical site infection and a significant decrease in pain on postoperative days 1 and 2 (P < 0.01 for both). Interpersonal communication improved among specialists involved in patient management.

CONCLUSIONS: The protocol was effective in reducing postoperative pain and the rate of surgical site infection among patients with posterior spinal surgeries.