Introduction: Infection is a devasting complication after primary and revision arthroplasty. Therefore, identifying potential sources of infection can help to reduce infection rates. The aim of this study was to identify the impact and potential risk of contamination for glows and surgical helmets during arthroplasty procedures.
Methods: Surveillance cultures were used to detect contamination of the glow interface during the surgery and the surgical helmets immediately at the end of the surgery. The cultures were taken from 49 arthroplasty procedures from the surgeon as well as the assisting surgeon.
Results: In total, 196 cultures were taken. 31 (15.8%) of them showed a contamination. 12 (13.5%) of 98 cultures taken from the surgical helmets were positive, while 18 (18.3%) of 96 cultures taken from the gloves showed a contamination.
Discussion: The study showed that during arthroplasty procedures, surgical helmets and gloves were frequently contaminated with bacteria. In 20 of 49 (40.8%) arthroplasty surgeries, either the surgical helmet or the gloves showed a contamination. Surgeons should be aware that they might be a source for infection during arthroplasty surgeries.
Keywords: Contamination; infection; surgical gloves; surgical helmet; total joint arthroplasty.