Factfinders for patient safety: Antibiotics for disc access and spinal cord stimulation trials.

This series of FactFinders presents a brief summary of the evidence and outlines recommendations regarding the use of antibiotics for disc access and spinal cord stimulation trials. The evidence in support of the following facts is presented: (1) There is a low but nonzero risk of discitis due to percutaneous intervertebral disc access. Strategies to mitigate this risk include use of strict aseptic technique, use of a needle stylet, and prophylactic intravenous or intra-discal antibiotics. (2) In low-risk patients, it may not be necessary to continue antibiotics throughout the percutaneous or staged trial period; however, in high-risk patients, or in trials lasting more than five days, antibiotics should be considered on a case-by-case basis.