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Perforation and bacterial contamination of microscope covers in lumbar spinal decompressive surgery
Georg Osterhoff1, José Spirig, Jürgen Klasen
1Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist Clinic, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Objective:
To determine the integrity of microscope covers and bacterial contamination at the end of lumbar spinal decompressive surgery.
Materials And Methods:
A prospective study of 25 consecutive lumbar spinal decompressions with the use of a surgical microscope was performed. For detection of perforations, the microscope covers were filled with water at the end of surgery and the presence of water leakage in 3 zones (objective, ocular and control panel) was examined. For detection of bacterial contamination, swabs were taken from the covers at the same locations before and after surgery.
Results:
Among the 25 covers, 1 (4%) perforation was observed and no association between perforation and bacterial contamination was seen; 3 (4%) of 75 smears from the 25 covers showed post-operative bacterial contamination, i.e. 2 in the ocular zone and 1 in the optical zone, without a cover perforation.
Conclusions:
The incidence of microscope cover perforation was very low and was not shown to be associated with bacterial contamination. External sources of bacterial contamination seem to outweigh the problem of contamination due to failure of cover integrity.
Insights
Microscope covers used in lumbar spinal decompression surgery showed a low perforation rate (4%) with no link to bacterial contamination. External contamination sources appear more significant than cover integrity issues.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Surgical Technology
- Infection Control
Background:
- Maintaining a sterile surgical field is critical during spinal decompression.
- Surgical microscopes are essential tools in these procedures, requiring sterile covers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the integrity of surgical microscope covers.
- To evaluate bacterial contamination on microscope covers post-lumbar spinal decompression surgery.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 25 lumbar spinal decompressions using surgical microscopes.
- Microscope covers were tested for perforations using a water leakage test.
- Bacterial contamination was assessed via swabs taken from covers before and after surgery.
Main Results:
- One perforation (4%) was detected in 25 microscope covers.
- Post-operative bacterial contamination was found in 3 (4%) of smears, unrelated to perforations.
- No association was observed between cover perforation and bacterial contamination.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of microscope cover perforation during lumbar spinal decompression is low.
- Cover integrity failure does not appear to be a significant source of bacterial contamination.
- External contamination sources are likely more influential than microscope cover integrity.
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