Spine surgery infection breakthrough? vancomycin powder tested in new trial

NCT ID NCT03839914

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether placing vancomycin powder directly into the wound during spine surgery can prevent infections in high-risk patients, such as those with spinal deformities or tumors. Half of the 76 adult participants will receive the powder, while the other half will not. The goal is to see if this simple addition reduces surgical site infections without causing serious side effects.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: vancomycin powder
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a simple, cost-effective way to lower infection rates after high-risk spine surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 76 participants. The results may not apply to all patients, and there is a risk of side effects like kidney problems or antibiotic resistance.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

injury spinal cord cancer spinal cord neoplasm spinal injury Surgical Wound Infection

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

SPINAL DEFORMITY SPINAL TUMOR SURGICAL SITE INFECTION TRAUMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Queen Mary Hospital

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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