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Related Experiment Videos

The microbiologic effect of digital cervical examination.

H M Imseis1, W C Trout, S G Gabbe

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|March 17, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Digital cervical examination significantly increases the number of vaginal organisms in the cervix. This finding highlights a potential risk associated with the procedure, even with ruptured membranes.

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Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Infectious Disease Research
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Digital cervical examination is a common obstetric procedure.
  • Understanding the potential for microbial transfer is crucial for patient safety.
  • Previous research has not definitively established the immediate impact of digital exams on cervical flora.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether digital examination introduces vaginal organisms into the cervix.
  • To quantify changes in microbial presence following digital cervical examination.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 35 women with ruptured membranes at >/=34 weeks' gestation.
  • Sterile speculum examinations and standardized endocervical cultures were performed before and after digital examination.

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  • Semiqualitative and semiquantitative culture techniques were employed.

    • Main Results:

    • Cultures post-examination showed a significant increase in the mean number of different organism types (4.4 +/- 1.5) compared to pre-examination cultures (2.8 +/- 1.7).
    • 80% of patients exhibited heavier growth or a greater diversity of organisms after the digital exam.
    • The status of fetal membranes (ruptured vs. intact) did not influence these microbial transfer patterns.

    Conclusions:

    • Digital cervical examination has an immediate effect of introducing vaginal organisms into the cervical canal.
    • This microbial introduction may have implications for ascending infections in pregnant individuals.
    • Further research may explore strategies to mitigate this observed effect.