Implant Surface Technologies to Prevent Surgical Site Infections in Spine Surgery

Abstract

Spine surgeries are occurring more frequently worldwide. Spinal implant infections are one of the most common complications of spine surgery, with a rate of 0.7% to 11.9%. These implant-related infections are a consequence of surface polymicrobial biofilm formation. New technologies to combat implant-related infections are being developed as their burden increases; however, none have reached the market stage in spine surgery. Conferring antimicrobial properties to biomaterials relies on either surface coating (physical, chemical, or combined) or surface modification (physical, chemical, or combined). Such treatment can also result in toxicity and the progression of antimicrobial resistance. This narrative review will discuss “late-stage” antimicrobial technologies (mostly validated in vivo) that use these techniques and may be incorporated onto spine implants to decrease the burden of implant-related health care–acquired infections (HAIs). Successfully reducing this burden will greatly improve the quality of life in spine surgery. Familiarity with upcoming surface technologies will help spine surgeons understand the anti-infective strategies designed to address the rapidly worsening challenge of implant-related health care–acquired infections.