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Do surgical helmet systems affect intraoperative wound contamination? A randomised controlled trial
Otis C Shirley1, Ali Bayan2, Mark Zhu2
1Orthopaedic Department, Northshore Hospital, 124 Shakespeare Road, Westlake 0622, Private Bag 93-503, Takapuna, Auckland, 0740, New Zealand. Otis.C.Shirley@gmail.com.
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
|September 18, 2017
Summary
Surgical helmet systems (SHS) did not increase wound contamination in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared to standard surgical gowns. Adding tape to the gown/glove interface also showed no significant impact on contamination rates.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Infection control
- Arthroplasty procedures
Background:
- Deep infection is a serious complication following arthroplasty.
- Surgical helmet systems (SHS) may paradoxically increase infection rates, creating uncertainty about their use in arthroplasty.
- Investigating SHS's role in wound contamination during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if SHS increase wound contamination in TKA.
- To assess if taping the gown/glove interface reduces contamination when using SHS.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial with 75 TKA patients.
- Three groups: standard surgical gowns (SG), SHS without tape, SHS with tape.
- Wound contamination assessed via culture technique.
Main Results:
- SHS use resulted in 5/50 culture-positive cases versus 0/25 for SG (p=0.16).
- SHS with tape had 4/24 positive cases, while SHS without tape had 1/26 (p=0.18).
- Neither comparison showed statistically significant differences in contamination.
Conclusions:
- No significant difference in wound contamination between SG and SHS.
- Taping the gown/glove interface did not alter contamination rates.
- Gown choice should prioritize cost, comfort, and protection, as SHS did not prove superior in preventing contamination.
