Fig. 1

Diagnosis of early deep SSI and application of incisional VAC foam dressing. A The purulent drainage from a surgical site was found on the 10th day after L4-5 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, which was cultured with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus infection. B The surgical site was adequately exposed. C The infected tissues and pus were sent to microbiology for bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. D Two inflow tubes were placed under the deep fascia for continuous irrigation, and the other two outflow tubes were placed for drainage. E The infected wound after debridement was sutured for one stage. F An incisional VAC foam dressing was applied to fully cover the wound and the area where inflow and outflow tubes come out of the skin, followed by placement of an occlusive transparent film over the incision and surrounding wound area to make an airtight wound seal