Plastic Multilayered Closure in Pediatric Nonidiopathic Scoliosis Is Associated With a Lower Than Expected Incidence of Wound Complications and Surgical Site Infections

To compare the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) and wound complications between standard and plastic multilayered closure (PMC) in patients with pediatric nonidiopathic scoliosis undergoing primary or revision instrumentation or fusion. Retrospective cohort study. Although PMC has been used for adult spine patients as well as infected spinal wound closure, it has not been reported as routine closure in the pediatric nonidiopathic scoliosis population. Patients with nonidiopathic scoliosis undergoing primary or revision instrumentation or fusion between 2013 and 2016 were enrolled. Clinical charts and operative reports were reviewed. Following September 2015, all patients with nonidiopathic scoliosis received PMC closure by plastic or orthopedic surgery. The SSI and wound complication incidence in patients undergoing PMC was compared to standard closure. The mean Risk Severity Score (RSS) for SSI, which uses patient characteristics to calculate the excepted SSI probability, was compared to the observed (actual) incidence. The CDC definition of SSI (infection ≤90 days of surgery) was used. 115 patients were identified, including 56 standard closure and 59 PMC (mean age of 10.6 years; 54.8% female; mean preoperative major curve = 57.5°). There was no significant difference in age, sex, race, preoperative major curve, BMI, hemoglobin, blood loss, mean RSS score, or etiology between both groups (p >.05). Following PMC implementation, the observed incidence of wound complications decreased significantly from 19.6% in standard closures to 5.1% in the PMC group (p =.02), and the SSI incidence decreased from 8.9% to 1.7% (p =.11). The overall change in the observed (actual) incidence versus expected (RSS score) incidence of SSI indicated a 7.1% reduction following PMC. Utilizing PMC in patients undergoing spinal surgery for nonidiopathic scoliosis significantly decreases the incidence of wound complications. Surgeons should consider using PMC in patients with nonidiopathic scoliosis. Level II.