{"id":"d82ef752-593a-404a-b2e4-4a68b4aecea0","slug":"the-effect-of-epidural-steroid-injection-during-surgery-on-surgical-site-infections-following-lumbar-fusion","title":"The effect of epidural steroid injection during surgery on surgical site infections following lumbar fusion","authors":["Mohamed Eltoukhy","Karim Eldabaa","Mohamed Ahmed Eissa"],"abstract":"Background: Intraoperative epidural steroid injections (ESIs) have been suggested to limit pain following lumbar fusions. However, the frequency of resultant surgical site infections has not been fully investigated. Methods: We retrospectively followed two groups of patients; 23 patients were the control group, while the other 23 patients received, in addition to the spinal fusions, intraoperative ESI. Results: Patients in the latter ESI/fusion treatment group had significantly increased rates of superficial and deep infections (i.e., superficial infections 17.4% and 4.3% deep infections) versus control patients (i.e., 8.6% superficial and 0% deep) undergoing fusions alone. Conclusion: We observed an increased risk of postoperative surgical site infections among patients who underwent intraoperative ESI in addition to their lumbar fusions.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/d82ef752-593a-404a-b2e4-4a68b4aecea0/featured/hero-1781560000287.png","publishDate":"2023-09-29T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_1072_2022","categories":["Spine","Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/d82ef752-593a-404a-b2e4-4a68b4aecea0/pdf"}