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The microbiologic effect of gas filtration
T L Schneider1, A M Maguire, T P O'Brien
1Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Ocular Microbiology Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Gas filtration has minimal impact on the microbiology of air or perfluoropropane gas (C3F8) used in ophthalmic surgery. This study found no significant difference in bacterial or fungal contamination between filtered and unfiltered gases, suggesting filtration is not critical for routine ophthalmic procedures.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Surgical Technology
Background:
- Gases like air and perfluoropropane gas (C3F8) are frequently used in ophthalmic surgeries.
- While halogenated gases undergo routine filtration, air often does not.
- The microbiological impact of gas filtration in ophthalmic surgery requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the microbiological effect of filtering medical-grade perfluoropropane gas (C3F8) and ophthalmic-grade air.
- To determine if filtration reduces bacterial and fungal contamination in gases used for eye surgery.
Main Methods:
- Medical-grade C3F8 and ophthalmic air from operating and emergency rooms were sampled.
- Gas aliquots were passed through a 0.22-micron filter, with samples taken before and after filtration.
- Filter discs were cultured for bacterial and fungal organisms.
Main Results:
- No bacterial or fungal organisms were recovered from any of the 514 samples.
- No significant difference in microbial recovery was observed between filtered and unfiltered air or C3F8.
- No difference was noted between operating room air and emergency room air samples.
Conclusions:
- Gas filtration appears to have little microbiological significance for the volumes of air or C3F8 typically used in ophthalmic surgery.
- The concentration of airborne microbes is likely too low to be affected by filtration for routine ophthalmic volumes.