Bacterial recolonization of the skin under a polyurethane drape in a hip surgery

This study investigated the proliferation of skin flora under polyurethane (PU) wound dressings following surgical interventions. In vitro the film proved to be impermeable to staphylococci. However, bacteria migrated under the film, showing a preference for the adhesive rather than the adhesive-fre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of hospital infection 1996-10, Vol.34 (2), p.107-116
Main Authors: FLEISCHMANN, W, MEYER, H, BAER, A. V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Bacteriological Techniques
Bandages
Biological and medical sciences
Colony Count, Microbial
Female
Hip - surgery
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Orthopedic surgery
Polyurethanes
Postoperative Period
Skin - microbiology
Staphylococcus aureus - growth & development
Staphylococcus aureus - isolation & purification
Staphylococcus epidermidis - growth & development
Staphylococcus epidermidis - isolation & purification
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
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Summary:This study investigated the proliferation of skin flora under polyurethane (PU) wound dressings following surgical interventions. In vitro the film proved to be impermeable to staphylococci. However, bacteria migrated under the film, showing a preference for the adhesive rather than the adhesive-free areas. The skin of 43 patients with incisions of the proximal thigh was covered postoperatively with a transparent PU-dressing. This was examined bacteriologically preoperatively and at the third and seventh postoperative days. The use of an antiseptic (povidone iodine) reduced the number of colony forming units in the postoperative skin but at the same time there was a significant reduction of bacteria under the film in comparison with the uncovered skin. The numbers and species of bacteria in different areas under the film did not suggest a spread of organisms from the uncovered skin to the skin under the film, but rather that there was a multifocal microbial regeneration.
ISSN:0195-6701
1532-2939
DOI:10.1016/S0195-6701(96)90135-8