DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.cc.23.00181 ISSN:

Vancomycin Flushing Syndrome After the Use of Vancomycin-Impregnated Bone Graft During Spine Surgery

R. Dinesh Iyer, Ajoy Prasad Shetty, Rishi Mugesh Kanna, K. S. Sri Vijay Anand, Rajasekaran Shanmuganathan
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Surgery
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Case:

Intrawound vancomycin in spine surgery is a common clinical practice. We report a case of a 14-year-old adolescent girl undergoing surgery for scoliosis correction who developed features of vancomycin flushing syndrome after the use of vancomycin-impregnated bone graft. After resuscitation, she was extubated and had an uneventful postoperative recovery. At 1-year follow-up, she is back to her routine without any sequelae of the intraoperative event.

Conclusion:

The use of intrawound vancomycin can result in life-threatening reactions. With the increase in its use, the anesthetist and the surgeon must be aware of such complications.

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