[Use of laminar flow apparatus in vascular surgery]

Post-operative infection is one of the main risks attached to surgery, especially when synthetic materials or artificial prostheses are employed. The fundamental principles of laminar flow apparatuses are described, with particular reference to one employing a horizontal flow and fluid bulkheads. During the first two years of its use, this particular apparatus has reduced cases of infection from prostheses in vascular surgery from 5.5 to 1.8%.