Articles | Volume 11, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-601-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-601-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original full-length article
| 
06 Oct 2026
Original full-length article |
| 06 Oct 2026
| 06 Oct 2026
Risk factors for treatment failure of surgical site deep infections following spinal instrumentation: multicentre observational study (DeFEndO study)
Renato Pascale
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Infectious Diseases Unit, Department for Integrated Infectious Risk Management, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Mena Gallo
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Nicolò Regge Gianas
Unit of Neurosurgery, Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy
Giacomo Fornaro
Infectious Diseases Unit, Department for Integrated Infectious Risk Management, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Irene Grassi
Infectious Diseases Unit, Department for Integrated Infectious Risk Management, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Manuel Zagarrigo
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Andrea Grechi
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Alberto Zuppiroli
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Dario Santoro
Infectious Diseases Unit, Department for Integrated Infectious Risk Management, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Elena Tenti
Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care and Research, Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy
Luca Boriani
Spine Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
Eleonora Zamparini
Infectious Diseases Unit, Department for Integrated Infectious Risk Management, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Alessandro Gasbarrini
Spine Surgery, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Pierluigi Viale
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Infectious Diseases Unit, Department for Integrated Infectious Risk Management, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Maddalena Giannella
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Infectious Diseases Unit, Department for Integrated Infectious Risk Management, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Stefania Curti
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Infectious Diseases Unit, Department for Integrated Infectious Risk Management, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Short summary
Deep infections after spinal surgery are serious complications requiring surgery and prolonged antibiotic therapy. In this study, we analysed 161 patients with deep surgical-site infections after spinal instrumentation to identify factors associated with treatment failure. Gram-negative infections seemed linked to worse outcomes, whereas quinolone use appeared to be associated with better results. Treatment duration (8 vs. 12 weeks) had no significant impact.
Deep infections after spinal surgery are serious complications requiring surgery and prolonged...
