Journal of Spine

The Outcome of Posterior Spinal Fusion and Instrumentation of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis without Wound Suction Drainage

Abstract

Ebrahim Ghayem Hassankhani*, Golnaz Ghayyem Hassankhani and Solmaz Ghayyem Hassankhani

Background: In spine surgery postoperative closed suction drainage is used to decrease the potential risks of wound hematoma formation, reduces the risk of infection, cord compression and neurologic deficit. However, the efficacy of drains used for this purpose in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is controversial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes of patients after posterior spinal fusion with instrumentation for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis without wound suction drainage.

Methods: A total of 66 patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for the correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis without use of drain from January 2012 to January 2021 were included. Wound dehiscence, wound hematoma, infection, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels and need for transfusion were described as frequency and mean values.

Results: The average age was 15.06 years. Hospital stay was 2.2 days. Patients were followed-up over 50.21 months. There was no deep infection, wound hematoma. The difference between just postoperative and three days after operation hemoglobin levels was not signi icant and no need for transfusion. Only 3 (4.5%) cases with super icial skin infection and 4 (6%) cases with skin and wound dehiscence were treated with dressing and antibiotics with full recovery.

Conclusion: Without using drain for patients with idiopathic scoliosis who underwent posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation, no increase in blood loss, transfusion requirements, wound infection, skin dehiscence, and wound hematoma was observed.