Surgical Site Infection after Bone Tumor Surgery: Risk Factors and New Preventive Techniques

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a serious complication of the surgical treatment of malignant bone tumors. Malignant bone tumor surgeries have higher rates of SSI than other orthopedic surgeries. In patients with SSIs, additional surgeries, long-term administrations of antibiotics, extended hospital stays, and the postponement of scheduled adjuvant treatments are required. Therefore, SSIs may deteriorate functional and oncological outcomes. To improve the surgical outcomes of patients with malignant bone tumors, preoperative risk assessments for SSIs, new preventive techniques against SSIs, and the optimal use of prophylactic antibiotics are required. Recently, various studies have shown significant associations between SSIs and age, tumor site (pelvis and tibia), extended operative time, the use of implants, body mass index, leukocytopenia, and reconstruction procedures. Furthermore, prophylactic techniques, including silver and iodine coatings on implants, have been developed. In this review, the predictive factors of SSIs and new prophylactic techniques are discussed. ABSTRACT: The management of malignant bone tumors requires multidisciplinary interventions including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical tumor resection and reconstruction. Surgical site infection (SSI) is a serious complication in the treatment of malignant bone tumors. Compared to other orthopedic surgeries, the surgical treatment of malignant bone tumors is associated with higher rates of SSIs. In patients with SSIs, additional surgeries, long-term administrations of antibiotics, extended hospital stays, and the postponement of scheduled adjuvant treatments are required. Therefore, SSI may adversely affect functional and oncological outcomes. To improve surgical outcomes in patients with malignant bone tumors, preoperative risk assessments for SSIs, new preventive techniques against SSIs, and the optimal use of prophylactic antibiotics are often required. Previous reports have demonstrated that age, tumor site (pelvis and tibia), extended operative time, implant use, body mass index, leukocytopenia, and reconstruction procedures are associated with an increased risk for SSIs. Furthermore, prophylactic techniques, such as silver and iodine coatings on implants, have been developed and proven to be efficacious and safe in clinical studies. In this review, predictive factors of SSIs and new prophylactic techniques are discussed.