Effect of Mobile Unidirectional Air Flow Unit on Microbial Contamination of Air in Standard Urologic Procedures

Abstract Background: Infection is one of the most feared complications of surgery. New instrumentation is being developed to reduce deposition of bacteria. Methods: We investigated 45 major surgical procedures (21 radical nephrectomies [RN] and 24 radical retropubic prostatectomies [RRP]) in our urology department during 2007. In about one-half of the interventions, an ultraclean air flow mobile (UAF) unit was used. Bacterial sedimentation was evaluated by nitrocellulose membranes placed on the instrument tray and by settle plates positioned at four points in the operating room. In 27 operations, an additional membrane was located near the incision. Results: Bacterial counts on the nitrocellulose membranes during RN were 230 colony-forming units (cfu)/m2/h with the UAF unit and 2,254 cfu/m2/h without the unit (p = 0.001). During RRP, the values were 288 cfu/m2/h and 3,126 cfu/m2/h respectively (p = 0.001). The membrane placed near the incision during RN showed a microbial count of 1,235 cfu/m2/h with the ...