[Bacteriological investigation of drains and catheters in pediatric surgery (author's transl)]

About 30% of 209 drains (wound drains, venous catheters, ureteral splints) from 92 pediatric surgical patients were contaminated with pathogens. 70% were sterile. E. coli and staphylococci were most frequently found. Wound drains after abdominal operations had the highest contamination rate at 70%, followed by ureteral splints with 50% and venous catheters with about 10%. Differences in the contamination rate in relation to the period of drainage could not be established. The following conclusions are drawn: 1. Giving antibiotics when pathogens have been detected in a wound drain is only recommended if this organism has also been found in other material from the patient. 2. If organisms are found in a venous catheter, a blood culture should always be carried out. 3. Antibiotic prophylaxis or topical treatment of the skin are not recommended. 4. Timely removal or changing of the catheter is the best prophylaxis against infection.