Nutinmch,
I have almost been where you are at with your husband. My daughter had fusion almost three years ago at the age of 15. Well teenage girls do have acne which she was under the care of a dermatologist for. After many dr. visits discussing her surgery her pediatric ortho, he never voiced any concern about her acne which at times does break out on her back. Well about three weeks prior to surgery I was discussing another issue on the phone and somehow the issue of acne came up. He told me that if she had any pimples near her incision sight that he would have to cancel the surgery. Wow! I was in shock. He told me the back had to be cleared up.
Well like you, I was amazed. We went to the dermatologist the next day and he started her on a couple different oral meRAB and topical ointments to clear up her back with weekly appts to monitor it. Her back dr is very friendly and cordial. So the morning of surgery he comes in and shakes our hanRAB and immediately checks her back to make sure it is clear enough to operate on. Luckily for us it was.
I do know that I was a mess mentally waiting for her surgery so can't imagine getting to that point and having to start over. It was explained to me by another dr that the spine is a very vulnerable area and that if she was opened up with any kind of pimple with puss we could be looking at serious infection.
So I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. I wish the best to the two of you and hope your husband is healed enough on the 29th. Good luck! cas