Biomaterial Database

Bacterial strike-through of re-usable surgical drapes: the effect of different wetting agents. 2002

A W Blom, and C Gozzard, and J Heal, and K Bowker, and C M Estela

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Bristol, UK.

Wound contamination and the resultant postoperative infection is a major problem in all forms of surgery. Air contamination, gloves, surgical instruments and drapes have all been investigated as sources of wound contamination. We investigated the effect of different wetting agents on strike-through rate of bacteria through re-usable polyester/cotton surgical drapes using a newly described method. Within 30 min bacterial strike-through of dry surgical drapes occurs. Wetting drapes with blood or normal saline enhances the strike-through rate of bacteria. Wetting drapes with iodine or chlorhexidine diminishes, but does not stop, bacterial strike-through. The use of re-usable polyester/cotton drapes is a potential source of wound contamination especially when wetted with blood or normal saline.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007455	Iodine	A nonmetallic element of the halogen group that is represented by the atomic symbol I, atomic number 53, and atomic weight of 126.90. It is a nutritionally essential element, especially important in thyroid hormone synthesis. In solution, it has anti-infective properties and is used topically.	Iodine-127,Iodine 127
D002710	Chlorhexidine	A disinfectant and topical anti-infective agent used also as mouthwash to prevent oral plaque.	Chlorhexidine Acetate,Chlorhexidine Hydrochloride,MK-412A,Novalsan,Sebidin A,Tubulicid,Acetate, Chlorhexidine,Hydrochloride, Chlorhexidine,MK 412A,MK412A
D004202	Disinfectants	Substances used on inanimate objects that destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity. Disinfectants are classed as complete, destroying SPORES as well as vegetative forms of microorganisms, or incomplete, destroying only vegetative forms of the organisms. They are distinguished from ANTISEPTICS, which are local anti-infective agents used on humans and other animals. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)	Biocide,Disinfectant,Biocides
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001419	Bacteria	One of the three domains of life (the others being Eukarya and ARCHAEA), also called Eubacteria. They are unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms which generally possess rigid cell walls, multiply by cell division, and exhibit three principal forms: round or coccal, rodlike or bacillary, and spiral or spirochetal. Bacteria can be classified by their response to OXYGEN: aerobic, anaerobic, or facultatively anaerobic; by the mode by which they obtain their energy: chemotrophy (via chemical reaction) or PHOTOTROPHY (via light reaction); for chemotrophs by their source of chemical energy: CHEMOLITHOTROPHY (from inorganic compounds) or chemoorganotrophy (from organic compounds); and by their source for CARBON; NITROGEN; etc.; HETEROTROPHY (from organic sources) or AUTOTROPHY (from CARBON DIOXIDE). They can also be classified by whether or not they stain (based on the structure of their CELL WALLS) with CRYSTAL VIOLET dye: gram-negative or gram-positive.	Eubacteria
D001512	Bedding and Linens	Articles of cloth, usually cotton or rayon and other synthetic or cotton-blend fabrics, used in households, hospitals, physicians' examining rooms, nursing homes, etc., for sheets, pillow cases, toweling, gowns, drapes, and the like.	Linens,Bedding,Beddings,Linen,Linens and Bedding
D013530	Surgical Wound Infection	Infection occurring at the site of a surgical incision.	Postoperative Wound Infection,Infection, Postoperative Wound,Infection, Surgical Wound,Surgical Site Infection,Wound Infection, Postoperative,Wound Infection, Surgical,Infection, Surgical Site,Infections, Postoperative Wound,Infections, Surgical Site,Infections, Surgical Wound,Postoperative Wound Infections,Surgical Site Infections,Surgical Wound Infections,Wound Infections, Postoperative,Wound Infections, Surgical
D014906	Wetting Agents	A surfactant that renders a surface wettable by water or enhances the spreading of water over the surface.	Wetting Agent,Agent, Wetting,Agents, Wetting