The follow-up of patients with postoperative infection of the spine.

Abstract

The follow-up of patients with postoperative infection of the spine required a multidisciplinary teamwork under the guidance of the spine surgeon and the infectious disease (ID) specialist. During follow-up, the spine surgeon has to ensure the absence of neurological, mechanical and implant-related complications using clinical parameters and different imaging modalities. The ID physician has to give particular attention to antimicrobial efficacy and toxicity, especially during the first weeks when patients necessitate high-dose intravenous treatment.