Spine
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A methodological systematic review. ⋯ Given the plethora of previously hypothesized confounding risk factors for a spinal SSI, conduct of nonrandomized comparative therapeutic studies is strongly discouraged. On the other hand, methodological safeguards, including use of standardized definitions of putative confounders and outcomes, should be considered in more detail during the design phase of a randomized trial.
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A methodological systematic review. ⋯ There is an abundance of conflicting data on risk factors for SSI after spinal surgery. Given various sources of heterogeneity observed in observational literature, there is a paucity of solid evidence for the proof of robust risk factors. The authors recommend the introduction, validation, and use of a standardized set of strongly justified eligibility criteria and well-defined candidate risk factors and spinal SSI outcomes.