Risk factors for surgical site infection in advanced neuromodulation pain procedures: a retrospective study

• Published in: Pain management (London) 2023-07, Vol.13 (7), p.397-404
• Main Authors: Ege, Eliana, Briggi, Daniel, Javed, Saba, Huh, Albert, Huh, Billy K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: chronic pain; diabetes; dorsal root ganglion stimulation; infection; intrathecal drug delivery; neuromodulation; pain management; peripheral nerve stimulation; risk; spinal cord stimulation
• ISSN: 1758-1869; 1758-1877
• DOI: 10.2217/pmt-2023-0051

To assess the effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) and related variables on surgical site infection (SSI) risk in neuromodulation. This retrospective study followed patients who underwent neuromodulation procedures for at least 9 months to identify postoperative infections. Demographics, clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared. Of 195 cases included, 5 (2.6%) resulted in SSIs. Median HbA1c was significantly higher for the cases with SSIs (8.2 vs 5.6%; p = 0.0044). The rate of SSI was significantly higher among patients with DM (17.9 vs 0%; p = 0.0005), HbA1c≥7% (37.5 vs 0%; p = 0.0009), and perioperative glucose ≥200 mg/dl (40 vs 2.3%; p = 0.0101). DM, elevated HbA1c and perioperative hyperglycemia may all contribute to increased risk of SSIs with neuromodulation procedures. Infections are feared complications of surgery. It is important to identify factors that increase the risk of infection to prevent these complications. This study looked at the effects of diabetes and high blood sugar on the risk of infection associated with pain procedures. The researchers followed patients who had these procedures and looked for any infections that occurred afterward. They found that patients with diabetes and high blood sugar levels before surgery were more likely to develop infections after these procedures. More research can help establish blood sugar targets so that physicians can better manage this risk for their patients.