A Retrospective Analysis of the Management of Postoperative Discitis: A Single Institutional Experience

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to study the impact and outcome of conservative management and surgical intervention in cases of postoperative discitis. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Postoperative discitis is a rare but often misdiagnosed cause of failed back syndrome. There is paucity of literature regarding management guidelines of postoperative discitis. METHODS: The study was carried out over a period of 6 years. Eighteen patients with postoperative discitis were included in the study. RESULTS: Conservative management with antibiotics, analgesics and bed rest were started in all the study cases. Posterior transpedicular fixation after re-exploration debridement and curettage of disc space granulation tissue was conducted in five patients in whom conservative management failed. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis and appropriate management is the key to effective treatment of postoperative discitis. Conservative management leads to excellent results in majority of cases. Surgical intervention with posterior interbody fusion and debridement is helpful when conservative treatment fails.