• Rate of revision surgery due to SSIs [ Time Frame: within 90 days following index surgery ]
• Rate of vancomycin-resistant bacterial infections in the treatment group [ Time Frame: within 90 days following index surgery ]
• Rate of vancomycin-related adverse events both locally and systemically [ Time Frame: within 90 days following index surgery ]
• Rate of wound healing disorders without SSI within [ Time Frame: within 90 days following index surgery ]
• Rate of wound seromas [ Time Frame: within 90 days following index surgery ]
• numeric rating scale (NRS) to assess pain intensity self-reported by the patient (Score 0-10 with 0 representing no pain, and 10 maximum pain intensity) at Visits 3, 4, 5 and 6 for neck or back pain depending on surgical level (cervical or lumbosacral) [ Time Frame: day 4, day 5, day 42, day 90 ]
• numeric rating scale (NRS) to assess pain intensity self-reported by the patient (Score 0-10 with 0 representing no pain, and 10 maximum pain intensity) at Visits 3, 4, 5 and 6 for leg or arm pain (cervical or lumbosacral) [ Time Frame: day 4, day 5, day 42, day 90 ]
• Quality of life (EuroQoL 5D-5L), Mobility, Self-Care, Usual Activities, Pain/Discomfort, Anxiety/ Depression (rating from no problems to extreme problems) and health status self rating by patient (Score 0-100, 0 the worst health and 100 the best health) [ Time Frame: day 42 and day 90 ]
• Length of hospital stay [ Time Frame: within 90 days following index surgery ]
• Cost of treatment for cost analysis between both treatment arms [ Time Frame: 1 year after index surgery ]
• Rate of bony fusion at the level of index surgery as assessed by CT [ Time Frame: 1 year after index surgery ]

Background:

Surgical site infections (SSI) after spine surgery may occur in up to 12% of cases and can lead to increased morbidity, and healthcare costs. Numerous retrospective studies suggest the use of intrawound (subfascial) vancomycin powder in spine surgery to be protective against SSIs. Adverse events, such as seroma formation or neurotoxicity may be associated with the subfascial use of vancomycin powder in high doses in direct proximity to exposed neural structures. Only one retrospective study investigated the use of suprafascial vancomycin powder. The use of intrawound vancomycin powder is controversial and there is a paucity of well-designed prospective trials evaluating its efficacy and safety in spine surgery.

Objective:

The main objective of this Trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of suprafascially applied vancomycin powder in open instrumented spine surgery to prevent surgical site infections and inform a future phase-III trial.

Methods:

In addition to standard preoperative systemic antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP), patients in the treatment arm will receive 1-2 g of vancomycin powder (VP) applied above the closed muscle fascia (suprafascial) into the wound at conclusion of the surgery. Patients in the control arm will not receive additional intrawound vancomycin powder. All other intra- and perioperative procedures will be conducted according to standard of practice (SOP) at the respective Trial site. All patient follow-ups and assessment of the surgical site will be observational in nature and adhere to Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Trial site. All patients will be followed up clinically with conventional radiographs after 6 weeks and 3 months after surgery. At each follow-up, clinical assessment and inspection of the surgical site (the wound) will be performed by a blinded assessor (who was not present at index surgery). In cases of evident or suspected SSI standard blood samples and - if required to rule out or confirm a deep SSI - a MRI will be ordered.

• Active Comparator: Treatment Arm
  The powdered vancomycin will be placed subcutaneously over the closed muscle fascia (suprafascially) at the end of the surgery during wound closure.
  Intervention: Drug: Vancomycin
• No Intervention: Control Arm
  The control group receiving only a standard preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis administered intravenously.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients ≥ 18 years of age requiring open instrumented dorsal spinal fusion of at least 1 level (involving two adjacent vertebras and one intervertebral disc)
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Preoperative ongoing infectious disease present as judged by primary surgeon (based on lab results and clinical assessment);
• Previous spine surgery at index level within last 90 days;
• Known allergy to vancomycin;
• Percutaneous or transmuscular instrumentation (minimally-invasive surgery) only without lumbar interbody fusion;
• Postoperative radiotherapy of surgical site required (e.g. for tumor)
• Preexisting cochlea damage OR known history of hearing loss;
• Renal insufficiency with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 15-30 ml/min or worse;
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding women;
• Participation in other ongoing clinical trials;
• Patients lacking capacity to consent;