To evaluate the efficacy of Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) in the management of post surgical spinal sepsis.

A retrospective analysis was performed of patients with severe post operative spinal wound infections treated using a combination surgical debridement, antibiotics and VAC therapy.

Full records were available for a total of twenty adult all of whom had had prior thoracic or lumbar instrumentation. Comorbidities included disseminated carcinomatosis (25 % of patients), Ankylosing spondylitis (5 %), rheumatoid arthritis (5%) and Polio (5%). In one patient there had been a prior history of irradiation of the surgical field. Most infections treated by this regime were identified within two weeks following surgery. At surgery infection deep to the dorso-lumbar fascia was found in 87 % of cases. It was possible to retain instrumentation in 60 % of cases. An average of three trips to theatre were required prior to wound closure, which was possible in 95 % of cases. The VAC device was left in situ for an average of 11 days. Complications included recurrence of infection necessitating further treatment in 20 % of cases, wound dehiscence necessitating healing by secondary intention in 5%, the need for free flap wound cover in 5 % and death from unrelated causes in 5%.

VAC therapy may facilitate the management of wound sepsis following spinal surgery in susceptible patients allowing the maintenance of instrumentation and surgical correction.