Wound Closure After Posterior Multi-level Lumbar Spine Surgery: An Anatomical Cadaver Study and Technical Note.

Publication Title

Cureus

Authors

Emre Yilmaz, Swedish Medical Center, Swedish Neuroscience InstituteFollow
Tamir Tawfik, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.Follow
Thomas M O'Lynnger, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USAFollow
Joe Iwanaga
Ronen Blecher, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USAFollow
Amir Abdul-Jabbar, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USAFollow
R Shane Tubbs
Cameron K Schmidt
Rod J Oskouian, Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USAFollow
Jens R Chapman, Swedish Neuroscience InstituteFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-14-2018

Keywords

fascia; lumbar; spine surgery; subcutaneous; technique; wound closure

Abstract

Meticulous attention to wound closure in posterior lumbar spine surgery is an important principle in reducing surgical site infections. We detail standardized wound closure used for posterior lumbar spine surgery at a tertiary care referral center and illustrate this as a step-by-step cadaveric dissection. The lumbar spine of a cadaveric specimen (male, 73 years at death) was used for dissection. Standardizing wound closure in posterior lumbar spine surgery may help limit wound complications and infection. Some key points of our technique, as demonstrated on a cadaveric specimen, include separating fascial compartments, avoiding suture abscesses, and creating a tension-free wound.

Area of Special Interest

Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)

Specialty/Research Institute

Neurosciences

Specialty/Research Institute

Surgery

Specialty/Research Institute

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine