PERCUTANEOUS SUCTION ASPIRATION AND DRAINAGE FOR PYOGENIC SPONDYLITIS

Study Design. Retrospective evaluation of results in 23 cases of early -stage pyogenic spondylitis treated with percutaneous suction aspirati on and drainage.Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous s uction aspiration and drainage as a treatment method for early-stage p yogenic spondylitis. Summary of Background Data. Traditional surgical treatment for pyogenic spondylitis has the disadvantage of increased m orbidity caused by the extensive exposure required in the presence of infection. Recently, a few case reports have described minimally invas ive treatment for pyogenic spondylitis in which percutaneous suction a spiration was used. However, the efficacy of this new treatment has no t yet been evaluated. Methods. All charts, radiographs, and bacteriolo gic and histologic findings were reviewed. All 23 patients who receive d the new treatment were observed clinically and radiographically, to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. Results. To dale, all patients have been observed for more than 2 years. Twenty (87%) of the 23 pati ents have shown good results according to the evaluation. The causativ e organism was identified using tissue culturing in 12 (52%) of the 23 patients. The causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus in 8, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Propionibacterium acnes in 1 each. Back pain as the major symptom in these patients was relieved within an average of 9.4 days after the operation. However, the patient in whom the spondylitis was caused by Candida albicans has received this new treatment twice without succes s. Conclusions. Evaluation of percutaneous suction aspiration with dra inage shows that it is an effective treatment for early-stage pyogenic spondylitis.