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The Bair Hugger patient warming system in prolonged vascular surgery: an infection risk?
Joseph K C Huang1, Elizabeth F Shah, Narayanan Vinodkumar
1Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, UK. jkchuang@yahoo.com
Introduction:
Use of the Bair Hugger forced-air patient warming system during prolonged abdominal vascular surgery may lead to increased bacterial contamination of the surgical field by mobilization of the patient's skin flora.
Methods:
This possibility was studied by analyzing bacterial content in air and wound specimens collected during surgery in 16 patients undergoing abdominal vascular prosthetic graft insertion procedure, using the Bair Hugger patient warming system. The bacterial colony counts from the beginning and the end of surgery were compared, and the data analyzed using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test.
Results:
The results showed not only that there was no increase in bacterial counts at the study sites, but also that there was a decrease (P < 0.01) in air bacterial content around the patient and in the operating theatre after prolonged use of the patient warmer. No wound or graft infections occurred.
Conclusion:
The use of this warming system does not lead to increased bacterial contamination of the operating theatre atmosphere, and it is unlikely to affect the surgical field adversely.
Insights
The Bair Hugger forced-air patient warming system did not increase bacterial contamination during abdominal vascular surgery. This study found no adverse effects on the surgical field or increased infection risk.
Area of Science:
- Medical Devices
- Infectious Disease Control
- Surgical Safety
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding forced-air patient warming systems potentially increasing surgical site contamination.
- The Bair Hugger system's use during prolonged abdominal vascular surgery was investigated for its effect on bacterial mobilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the Bair Hugger forced-air patient warming system on bacterial contamination in the surgical environment.
- To determine if the warming system increases the risk of wound or graft infections.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial colony counts in air and wound specimens were analyzed during surgery in 16 patients.
- The Bair Hugger system was used during abdominal vascular prosthetic graft insertion procedures.
- Data were compared from the beginning and end of surgery using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test.
Main Results:
- No increase in bacterial counts was observed at study sites.
- A statistically significant decrease (P < 0.01) in airborne bacteria within the operating theatre was noted.
- No instances of wound or graft infections were reported in the study cohort.
Conclusions:
- The Bair Hugger forced-air patient warming system does not elevate bacterial contamination in the operating theatre atmosphere.
- The system is unlikely to adversely affect the surgical field or increase infection risk during abdominal vascular procedures.