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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Does methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus have a significant role in the peri-operative course of patients

C M Philpott1, A Sharma, D C McKiernan

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, UK. carl.philpott@btinternet.com

The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|June 10, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a growing concern. This study found MRSA infections are not a significant issue for patients undergoing sino-nasal surgery, with only one case detected.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections pose a significant global health challenge.
  • The prevalence of MRSA in sino-nasal infections, particularly in surgical patients, remains underquantified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence of MRSA in patients undergoing endonasal surgery.
  • To assess the risk of MRSA as a source of morbidity in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case note review of 151 adult patients undergoing in-patient endonasal surgery.
  • Analysis of pre-operative nasal swabs and peri-operative microbiology samples.

Main Results:

  • MRSA was detected in only one of 151 patients (0.66%).
  • No pre-operative MRSA screening identified positive cases.
  • Haemophilus influenzae was the most frequently identified organism.

Conclusions:

  • MRSA does not appear to be a significant cause of morbidity in patients undergoing sino-nasal surgery in this district general hospital.
  • Routine pre-operative MRSA screening may not be necessary for this surgical group.

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