Case Report Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2000

Postoperative synergistic gangrene after spinal fusion

Kauffman C, Bono C, Vessa P, Swan K — Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 2000

View Original on PubMed PMID 10870152

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers reported a single case of a severe flesh-eating infection that developed after spinal surgery.

What They Found

A 39-year-old man developed a rapidly spreading infection after spinal fusion surgery. This infection was successfully treated using repeated surgeries to remove dead tissue, specific antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Canadian Relevance

This study covers necrotizing fasciitis and gangrene, which are conditions for which hyperbaric oxygen therapy is recognised by Health Canada.

Study Limitations

As a single case report, this study cannot definitively prove the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for this specific type of infection.

This plain-language summary is generated with AI assistance and checked against the source abstract before publication. See our editorial policy.

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Study Details

Study Type	Case Report
Category	Infection
Source	Pubmed
PubMed ID	10870152
Year Published	2000
Journal	Spine (Phila Pa 1976)
MeSH Terms	Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Back Pain; Debridement; Diskectomy; Escherichia coli Infections; Fasciitis, Necrotizing; Gangrene; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Male; Postoperative Complications; Spinal Fusion; Streptococcal Infections

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Disclaimer: This study summary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the findings of the original research authors and may not represent the views of Canada Hyperbarics. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Last reviewed: April 17, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology