Firstly, the essay introduces the definition of bio-burden, the significance of determination of bio-burden and the specific performance requirements. Then, the essay introduces the method selection and validation on the bio-burden determination of surgical drapes, gowns and clean air suits.
Equipment Contamination ; Surgical Attire ; microbiology ; standards ; Surgical Drapes ; microbiology ; standards

In cleft palate surgery, the environment is especially critical when suturing. Encum-bered, obstructive space in the environment can hinder a suture while using the Dingman mouth gag. We introduced a novel but simple draping technique. A simple hand towel is placed over the gag. A hole is cut out in the middle according to each patient's mouth. After making the hole, the hand towel is soaked in water and gently squeezed. Then the towel is properly placed over the Dingman mouth gag. Dripping water on the hand towel during the suture helps keep it in place. Using this draping technique, we cut 14 minutes of operation time compared to the average operation time of the past 2 years. There were several disadvantages in previous draping method. First, long suture material may easily get caught. Second, the operation field can easily be contaminated. Third, focusing on the operation becomes difficult due to the obstruction. This draping technique can compensate for the disadvantages of the previous Dingman mouth gag.
Cleft Palate ; Hand* ; Mouth* ; Oral Surgical Procedures ; Surgical Drapes ; Sutures ; Water

It is necessary to organize and arrange the hair before performing surgery on the scalp. The hair is preserved in most cases, and the remaining hair makes it difficult to apply and maintain the drape. Moreover, hair that has not been properly sterilized can be a risk factor for infection. Accordingly, the authors of the present study benchmarked a method of hair control within the operative field using a sterile gel. Prior to surgery, the hair around the lesion can be organized and rearranged to the desired shape by using a sterile medical gel as a hairstyling product. Subsequently, chlorhexidine-isopropyl alcohol can be used for aseptic skin preparation, followed by draping for surgery. By controlling the hair using this method, hair can be prevented from falling into the operative field, thereby reducing the risk of surgical site infection.
Accidental Falls ; Benchmarking ; Hair ; Methods ; Preoperative Care ; Risk Factors ; Scalp ; Skin ; Surgical Drapes ; Surgical Wound Infection

BACKGROUND: Genital skin cancer is a potential side effect of phototherapy. Development of genital skin cancer lowers a patient's quality of life. However, there are no standards for genital protection during phototherapy. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to find adequate materials for genital protection. METHODS: Eight common materials for genital protection were placed over an ultraviolet (UV) meter that was irradiated with UVA and narrowband UVB phototherapy units. The percentage of blocked UV was measured. RESULTS: White and black cotton underwear, white and black polyester underwear, and surgical drapes did not allow the transmission of UVA and narrowband UVB light. But a surgical mask allowed about 15% transmission of UV light. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that white and black cotton underwear, white and black polyester underwear and surgical drapes provide sufficient UV protection.
Humans ; Light ; Masks ; Phototherapy ; Polyesters ; Quality of Life ; Skin Neoplasms ; Surgical Drapes ; Ultraviolet Rays

Operating room fires, though rare, can involve substantial morbidity and mortality. Surgical fires require an ignition source, oxidizer, and fuel. Ignition sources generally include lasers and electrocautery, oxidizer are usually oxygen, nitrous oxide, and ambient air, whereas fuels are classically surgical drapes, materials, and prepping agents. We experienced a patient who, during skin incision, sustained burns resulting from a fire in the operating room. Shortly after application of disinfectants and placement of the surgical drapes, the surgeon used the electrosurgical unit on the incision. In this case, the use of an alcohol-based disinfectant was the major contributing factor to the surgical fire. To avoid recurrence, if alcohol is used for skin prepping, it should be allowed to dry completely before draping.
Burns* ; Disinfectants* ; Electrocoagulation* ; Fires* ; Humans ; Mortality ; Nitrous Oxide ; Operating Rooms ; Oxygen ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Surgical Drapes

By testing the less critical product areas of two different materials, this paper verifies the test method described in ISO 22612.
Desiccation ; Infection Control ; methods ; Materials Testing ; instrumentation ; methods ; Sterilization ; instrumentation ; methods ; Surgical Attire ; microbiology ; Surgical Drapes ; microbiology

PURPOSE: The infected diabetic foot patients were reviewed to analyze the result of new dressing methods using a wall-suction instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients treated with wall-suction assisted vacuum dressing were included. After debridement under local anesthesia, a sponge pad, a drain, and a surgical drape were used to seal the wound. Negative pressure applied by the wall-suction at around 200 mmHg and dressing were repeated in every two to three days. The results of repeated wound cultures, growth of granulation tissues, and CRP level were closely observed on the regular basis. RESULTS: Rapid growth of granulation tissues was noticed around the wound in 16 cases. No organism was obtained in an average 5 days and wound coverage was possible in an average 18 days. The CRP level returned to normal in an average 4 weeks. Two patients with end stage renal disease, who were regularly hemodialised, underwent major amputation. CONCLUSION: New dressing method has the following advantages: a rapid wound improvement in the patients with infected diabetic foot, less expensive, less painful, impediment of bacterial contamination in the hospital room. However, further study will be needed for the end stage renal disease patients.
Amputation ; Anesthesia, Local ; Bandages ; Debridement ; Diabetic Foot* ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Porifera ; Surgical Drapes ; Ulcer* ; Vacuum* ; Wounds and Injuries

Perioperative anaphylaxis, although rare, is a severe, life-threatening unexpected systemic hypersensitivity reaction. Simultaneous administration of various drugs during anesthesia, the difficulty of communicate with patients in sedation and anesthesia, and coverage of the patient with surgical drapes are considered to be factors that impede early recognition of anaphylactic reactions. It is very important to perform an intradermal skin test because antibiotics are the most common cause of perioperative anaphylaxis. We report a case of negative-intradermal skin test antibiotic anaphylaxis mistaken for local aesthetic systemic toxicity without increase of serum tryptase for confirmative diagnostic biomaker during surgery under brachial plexus block. It is not possible to exclude the danger of anaphylaxis completely, even if it is negative-intradermal skin test and normal tryptase level. Therefore, anesthesiologists should be closely monitored and treated early for antibiotics related hypersensitive reaction, like other medicines during anesthesia.
Anaphylaxis ; Anesthesia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Brachial Plexus Block ; Brachial Plexus ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Skin Tests ; Surgical Drapes ; Tryptases

BACKGROUND: Corneal abrasion is one of the most common ophthalmic complications that occurs after general anesthesia. Although they can occur by direct contact with surgical drapes or masks, most occur as a result of the drying of the cornea exposed during general anesthesia due to a reduced amount of tear secretions, the loss of light reflex, or the loss of recognition of pain during the procedure. Thus, to prevent corneal abrasions during general anesthesia, proper eye protection is required. METHODS: Seventy-two patients (144 eyes) were divided into four groups as follows: 1) control group: careful manual eye closure; 2) adhesive tape group: a bandage attached over the eyelid; 3) ointment group: eye ointment placed into the eye followed by eye closure; and 4) ointment and tape group: eye ointment placed into the eye followed by a bandage attached over the eyelid, with the patient subjected to both methods for each eye. The National Eye Institute (NEI) scale, conjunctiva hyperemia scale, tear break-up time, and Schmer test were conducted before and after operation. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was noted between groups regarding the NEI scale, conjunctiva hyperemia scale, tear break-up time, or Schirmer test. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent corneal abrasions in normal patients undergoing general anesthesia, eye taping, eye ointment application, or taping after eye ointment application will not significantly reduce the degree of corneal epithelial damage compared to manual eye closure.
Adhesives ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Bandages ; Conjunctiva ; Cornea ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Intraoperative Complications ; Masks ; Methods* ; National Eye Institute (U.S.) ; Reflex ; Surgical Drapes ; Tears

Intraoperative airway obstruction is perplexing to anesthesiologists because the patient may fall into danger rapidly. A 74-year-old woman underwent an emergency incision and drainage for a deep neck infection of dental origin. She was orally intubated with a 6. 0 mm internal diameter reinforced endotracheal tube by video laryngoscope using volatile induction and maintenance anesthesia (VIMA) with sevoflurane, fentanyl (100 µg), and succinylcholine (75 mg). During surgery, peak inspiratory pressure increased from 22 to 38 cmH₂O and plateau pressure increased from 20 to 28 cmH₂O. We maintained anesthesia because we were unable to access the airway, which was covered with surgical drapes, and tidal volume was delivered. At the end of surgery, we found a longitudinal fold inside the tube with a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The patient was reintubated with another tube and ventilation immediately improved. We recognized that the tube was obstructed due to dissection of the inner layer.
Aged ; Airway Obstruction* ; Anesthesia ; Bronchoscopes ; Drainage ; Emergencies ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Intubation ; Laryngoscopes ; Ludwig's Angina* ; Neck ; Succinylcholine ; Surgical Drapes ; Tidal Volume ; Ventilation