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Malnutrition Predicts Infectious and Wound Complications Following Posterior Lumbar Spinal Fusion

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Burns, Infections and Wound Management

Part of the book series: Recent Clinical Techniques, Results, and Research in Wounds ((RCTRRW,volume 2))

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Abstract

Postoperative surgical site and other wound complications are of significant clinical and financial concern after posterior lumbar spinal fusion procedures. Malnutrition has been identified in the general orthopedic and spine literature as a modifiable risk factor for postoperative infectious wound pathology. This association may be the result of modifications to wound healing and the innate immune response seen in deficient dietary states. Practitioners should consider nutritional screening and interventions in surgical patients that are candidates for spinal fusion. These interventions may include nutritional counseling for food habits and oral or intravenous supplementation as deemed clinically necessary. Further high-level prospective investigations are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of nutritional screening and supplementation in spine-specific patient populations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA

    Ankur S. Narain, Fady Y. Hijji, Krishna T. Kudaravalli, Kelly H. Yom & Kern Singh M.D.

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  1. Ankur S. Narain
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  2. Fady Y. Hijji
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  3. Krishna T. Kudaravalli
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  4. Kelly H. Yom
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  5. Kern Singh M.D.
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Correspondence to Kern Singh M.D. .

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  1. Tustin, CA, USA

    Melvin A. Shiffman

  2. Newport Beach, CA, USA

    Mervin Low

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Narain, A.S., Hijji, F.Y., Kudaravalli, K.T., Yom, K.H., Singh, K. (2017). Malnutrition Predicts Infectious and Wound Complications Following Posterior Lumbar Spinal Fusion. In: Shiffman, M., Low, M. (eds) Burns, Infections and Wound Management. Recent Clinical Techniques, Results, and Research in Wounds, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/15695_2017_35

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/15695_2017_35

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