5. Study/Project Procedures: Patients who meet the entry criteria and agree to participate in the trial will be randomized to receive intraoperative vancomycin powder within the surgical wound or not. In all patients, vancomycin 1g and cefazolin 2g IV will be given within 60min of skin incision. If an allergy to cefazolin exists, 900mg of clindamycin IV will be used in its place. Cefazolin 1g IV will be given q6hr during surgery and continued q8hr post surgery for 24hrs, regardless of whether a surgical drain is in place. One to three liters of normal saline will be used for irrigation purposes during surgical procedure. Prior to wound closure, vancomycin powder will be topically applied both above (50% of dose) and below (50% of dose) the deep muscular fascia in patients participating in the treatment arm of the study. For surgeries involving 3 contiguous spinal segments or less, 500mg of vancomycin (1/2 vial) will be applied. For surgeries involving greater than 3 contiguous spinal segments, 1gm will be applied.