Using vancomycin powder to prevent infections in spine surgery

The Effect of Intrawound Vancomycin Powder in Spine Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Phase 4 Interventional Windsor-Essex Compassionate Care Community · NCT04825522

This study is testing if using vancomycin powder during spine surgery can help prevent infections after the operation compared to standard care.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment1643 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorWindsor-Essex Compassionate Care Community Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Windsor, Ontario and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04825522 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of intrawound vancomycin powder in reducing postoperative wound infections in patients undergoing spine surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the vancomycin intervention or standard care without it, while both the patients and the surgeons will remain blinded to the treatment allocation. Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, and surgical details will be collected, and the incidence of infections will be monitored for 12 weeks post-surgery. The goal is to determine if local vancomycin application can significantly lower the rates of surgical site infections compared to standard practices.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults requiring surgery for any spine disease.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of infections at the surgical site or those allergic to vancomycin will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative infections, leading to improved patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effectiveness of intrawound vancomycin, making this investigation both relevant and necessary.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients requiring surgery due to any spine disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

* A previous history of infections at the spine surgical site.
* Biopsy procedure.
* Patients with a postoperative follow-up time of less than 12 weeks.
* Patients allergic to vancomycin.
* Patient is less than 18 years old.

Where this trial is running

Windsor, Ontario and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Spine Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.