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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
07:16
Swine Model of Biofilm Infection and Invisible Wounds
Published on: June 16, 2023
A wound protector shields incision sites from bacterial invasion
Tetsuya Horiuchi1, Hiroyuki Tanishima, Kouji Tamagawa
1Department of Surgery, Minami Wakayama Medical Center, Wakayama, Japan. horiuti.tetuya@lilac.plala.or.jp
Surgical Infections
|September 21, 2010
Summary
A wound protector (WP) may prevent bacterial invasion during gastrointestinal surgery. Studies show no bacteria on the incision margin when using a WP, suggesting it protects surgical sites from infection.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Infection Prevention
- Microbiology in Surgery
Background:
- Superficial surgical site infections (SSIs) result from bacterial invasion during operations.
- Investigated bacterial presence at the wound margin and the efficacy of wound protectors (WPs) in preventing invasion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if bacteria colonize the incision margin during gastrointestinal surgery.
- To assess the role of a wound protector (WP) in preventing bacterial invasion of the incision site.
Main Methods:
- A study of 272 gastrointestinal surgery patients (gastric and colorectal) utilizing a WP.
- Bacterial swabs collected from the WP's abdominal side and incision margin post-procedure.
- Cultures and smears performed, followed by peritoneal lavage and subcutaneous irrigation.
Main Results:
- Positive bacterial cultures from the abdominal cavity observed in 24 patients (9 gastric, 15 colorectal).
- No positive bacterial cultures were found on the incision margin in any patient.
- Three SSIs occurred among patients with positive abdominal cultures (all colorectal); one SSI occurred in a patient with negative cultures (colorectal).
Conclusions:
- Wound protectors (WPs) appear to effectively shield incision sites from bacterial contamination during surgery.
- The findings suggest WPs play a crucial role in reducing the risk of surgical site infections.
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