Air contamination levels in operating rooms during surgery of total hip and total knee arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty and osteosynthesis in the surgical center of a Brazilian hospital

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 2010-09, Vol.43 (5), p.584-587
• Main Authors: Dolinger, Elias José Oliveira Von, Brito, Denise Von Dolinger de, Souza, Gildo Moarcir de, Melo, Geraldo Batista de, Gontijo Filho, Paulo Pinto
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: Air Microbiology; Air pollution; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Arthroplasty, Replacement - methods; Contamination; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Fungi - drug effects; Fungi - isolation & purification; Gram-Negative Bacteria - drug effects; Gram-Negative Bacteria - isolation & purification; Gram-Positive Bacteria - drug effects; Gram-Positive Bacteria - isolation & purification; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Operating Rooms; Staphylococcus - isolation & purification
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849
• DOI: 10.1590/S0037-86822010000500023

The air contamination levels during orthopedic surgeries were evaluated. The air of operating rooms (ORs) was examined through exposure to microbiological plates placed near the surgical table for an hour. values above that recommended (369 CFU/m³) for conventional ORs and ORs with ultraclean air were determined. Contamination was predominantly by Staphylococcus sp (86.9%). In all surgeries a high number of people were present inside the ORs and the doors were opened frequently. The contamination levels are above the values accepted by regulatory agencies, representing risk for patients.