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World J Orthop. Mar 18, 2026; 17(3): 116878
Published online Mar 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i3.116878
Published online Mar 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i3.116878
Does the application of intrawound and prolonged systemic antibiotics decrease spine postoperative surgical site infection?
Hossein Elgafy, Rachel Michael, Christopher Jackson, Connor Burke, Department of Orthopedics, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH 43614-5807, United States
Author contributions: All the authors contributed to outlining the manuscript, gathering the data, and writing the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Hossein Elgafy, Department of Orthopedics, University of Toledo Medical Center, 3065 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614-5807, United States.
Received: November 24, 2025
Revised: December 11, 2025
Accepted: January 15, 2026
Published online: March 18, 2026
Processing time: 113 Days and 13.3 Hours
Revised: December 11, 2025
Accepted: January 15, 2026
Published online: March 18, 2026
Processing time: 113 Days and 13.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Postoperative spine surgery wound infection has been reported up to 10.9%. Several factors have been identified as risk factors for surgical site infection. Staphylococcus aureus is the most commonly isolated bacterium. A new biomarker, presepsin, has been recently investigated as a possible indicator of infection, and an elevated level (> 300 pg/mL) could be used as a sign of surgical site infection. Using local as well as prolonged postoperative systemic antibiotics is recommended in certain groups of patients who have a higher risk of surgical site infection.