Incidence of discitis in endoscopic spine surgery

Abstract

Aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the incidence of discitis amongst patients undergoing endoscopic spine surgery. Material and Methods: A total of 116 patients were included in the study which underwent endoscopic discectomy. Patients were followed up in postoperative period for any backpain. They were evaluated clinically and were subjected to laboratory and radiological investigations to establish the diagnosis of postoperative discitis. Patients were given IV antibiotics initially for 4 weeks and those not responding to treatment were treated by surgical intervention. All the patients were followed up clinically, by laboratory investigations and MRI. RESULTS: Out of 116,two patients suffered from postoperative discitis. One of them responded to medical management whereas the other one required surgical debridement. CONCLUSION: Discitis following endoscopic discectomy is although a rare complication .But whenever encountered should be treated aggressively with appropriate IV antibiotics and if needed surgical intervention should be resorted to as well.