In Vitro Evaluation of Common Antimicrobial Solutions Used for Breast Pocket Irrigation-Part 2: Efficacy Against Biofilm-Associated Bacteria

• Published in: Aesthetic surgery journal 2021-01
• Main Authors: Jewell, Mark L, Bionda, Nina, Moran, Alison V, Bevels, Elizabeth J, Jewell, Hillary L, Hariri, Sara, Leung, Braden K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1527-330X

Biofilm-associated bacteria have been observed in both breast implant revision and tissue expander-implant exchange surgeries. The utilization of antimicrobial solutions in breast surgery, especially those containing triple antibiotics (TAB) and/or 10% povidone-iodine (PI), may help reduce existing biofilm-associated bacteria, which is particularly important in a mature breast pocket that may contain residual bacteria from a previously colonized implant surface or, theoretically, bacteria that may arrive postoperatively through hematogenous spread. A series of in vitro assessments was performed to evaluate the antimicrobial utility of TAB and PI, either alone or in combination, against preformed biofilm-associated bacteria. Preformed biofilm-associated gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains were exposed to TAB and PI ± TAB for up to 30 minutes in a bacterial time-kill assay. Efficacy of various dilutions of PI and the effects of serum protein on PI efficacy were also investigated. TAB was ineffective at the timeframes tested when utilized alone; when utilized in conjunction with PI, significant log reduction of all biofilm-associated bacterial species tested was achieved when treated for at least 5 minutes. PI alone at a concentration of 25% or higher was also effective, although its efficacy was negatively affected by increasing serum protein concentration only for Staphylococcus epidermidis. Our data indicate that PI-containing solutions significantly reduce biofilm-associated bacteria, suggesting potential utility for breast pocket irrigation during revision or exchange surgeries. Care should be taken to minimize excessive dilution of PI to maintain efficacy.