The relative importance of routes and sources of wound contamination during general surgery. I. Non-airborne

Whyte, W. , Hambraeus, A., Laurell, G. and Hoborn, J. (1991) The relative importance of routes and sources of wound contamination during general surgery. I. Non-airborne. Journal of Hospital Infection, 18(2), pp. 93-107. (doi: 10.1016/0195-6701(91)90154-Z) (PMID:1678765)

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Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine the relative importance of some sources, routes of transmission, and measures to prevent bacteria entering the wound during biliary tract surgery. When bacteria were growing in the bile they accounted for the majority (>99%) of the bacteria found in the wound. However, when the bile was sterile the skin bacteria at the incision site were found to make a substantial contribution to the wound flora. The difference in the total wound contamination between a patient who had practically no skin bacteria and one who had an average amount was in the region of 17-fold. No transfer of skin bacteria from the surgical team through perforated gloves or by direct contact from the surface of operating gowns was demonstrated. Ten of the patients studied had septic wounds. Five of these were infected by bacteria from the bile.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Whyte, Dr William
Authors: Whyte, W., Hambraeus, A., Laurell, G., and Hoborn, J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
Journal Name:Journal of Hospital Infection
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0195-6701
ISSN (Online):1532-2939

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