Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background:A surgical site infection (SSI) is an infection that occurs after surgery in the area of the body where the surgical procedure took place. The present study was conducted to assess the role of the local vancomycin administration to SSI prevention during spine operations. Materials & Methods:76 patients who underwent spinal surgery of both genderswere divided into 2 groups of 38 each. Group I received local application of vancomycin and in group II no local antibiotic was used. Parameters such as operation time, blood loss, type of SSI and bacteria etc. were recorded. Results: Group I had 20 males and 18 females and group II had 21 males and 17 females. In group I and group II, diabetes was seen in 5 and 6 patients respectively. Hypertension was seen in 7 and 5 patients respectively. SSI was seen in 4 and 8 patients respectively. The type of SSI was superficial in 2 and 3 and deep in 2 and 5 patients respectively. Bacteria were E. Coli in 2 and 4, Klebsiella in 1 and 2 and MRSA in 1 and 2 patients respectively. Southampton scale category Awas seen in 21 and 20, category B in 15 and 14 and category C in 2 and 4 patients respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The mean operative time in group I was 140.2 minutes and in group II was 142.5 minutes. The mean blood loss was 182.4 ml in group I and 180.2 ml in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: SSIs are a significant issue that impact spine procedures and use up medical resources. The goal of administering vancomycin powder locally is to reduce the rate of infection. When vancomycin is used locally, fewer bacteria are present at the surgical site, which lowers the risk of surgical site infections.