Study of the effectiveness of gentamycin injection in disc space during lumbar discectomy in prevention of postoperative discitis

ABSTRACT

This prospective study was performed on 150 patients operated upon by lumber discectomy. Seventy-five cases were treated by an injection of 2 ml ampoule of gentamycin in the disc space that was removed; while in the other 75, 2 ml ampoule of sterile water was injected in the disc space. The study showed six cases of postoperative discitis, all in the placebo group, and three cases were diabetics. All cases were in L4-5 disc space. The frequency of discitis was 6/150. In gentamycin group, the frequency was 0%; while in the placebo group, it was 8%. It was concluded that the intraoperative prophylaxis with gentamycin is effective in the prevention of postoperative discitis