A study of the bacterial flora before and after antiseptic skin preparation of the perineum in male urology patients

Affiliations

01 January 2008

-

doi: 10.1159/000167837


Abstract

Objective: To establish the bacterial flora of the perineum before and after antiseptic preparation in male urology patients.

Patients/methods: Adult male patients undergoing cystoscopic procedures were studied. Three sets of swab specimens, labelled A, B and C, were taken from the perineum in the theatre. Specimen A was taken before cleaning and disinfection of the skin with Savlon (Chlorhexidine- cetrimide mixture), specimen B after disinfection and draping, and C after completion of the operative procedure. Specimens were processed on standard laboratory media for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and yeasts.

Results: Of the 114 patients studied, 43 (37.7%) had a positive culture for significant microorganisms in specimen A, 7 (6.1%) in specimen B and 13 (11.4%) in specimen C (A vs. B p < 0.001, A vs. C p < 0.001, B vs. C p < 0.01). The commonest isolates in specimen A were Gram-positive organisms (84.1%). The positive-culture rate for patients with end-stage renal failure was 71.4%, for those with a urethral catheter it was 53.8%, for those without systemic diseases it was 36.6% and for patients with diabetic mellitus it was 28.1%.

Conclusion: About 38% of patients undergoing cystoscopic procedures had a significant positive perineal culture, with Staphylococcus species being the predominant skin flora. The bacteria culture rate was affected by the presence of systemic diseases. The use of Savlon to disinfect the perineum resulted in a significant reduction in the bacterial count of the perineum.


Similar articles

Evaluation of the skin flora after chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine preparation in neurosurgical practice.

Guzel A, Ozekinci T, Ozkan U, Celik Y, Ceviz A, Belen D.Surg Neurol. 2009 Feb;71(2):207-10; discussion 210. doi: 10.1016/j.surneu.2007.10.026. Epub 2008 Mar 4.PMID: 18291465 Clinical Trial.

Does preoperative topical antimicrobial scrub reduce positive surgical site culture rates in men undergoing artificial urinary sphincter placement?

Magera JS Jr, Inman BA, Elliott DS.J Urol. 2007 Oct;178(4 Pt 1):1328-32; discussion 1332. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2007.05.146. Epub 2007 Aug 14.PMID: 17698144 Clinical Trial.

A randomized trial of 2% chlorhexidine tincture compared with 10% aqueous povidone-iodine for venipuncture site disinfection: Effects on blood culture contamination rates.

Suwanpimolkul G, Pongkumpai M, Suankratay C.J Infect. 2008 May;56(5):354-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2008.03.001. Epub 2008 Apr 14.PMID: 18407355 Clinical Trial.

Association between periurethral colonization with uropathogens and subsequent bacteriuria in catheterized patients.

Munir T, Lodhi M, Hussain RM, Mubeen M.J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2009 Mar;19(3):169-72.PMID: 19268017

Surgical repair of posterior urethral defects: review of literature and presentation of experiences.

Hosseini J, Tavakkoli Tabassi K.Urol J. 2008 Fall;5(4):215-22.PMID: 19101893 Review.


Cited by

Cited by

A useful tip for preventing surgical site infections after hypospadias repair. A single surgeon's experience of 376 cases.

Murakami H, Seo S, Ochi T, Yazaki Y, Takeda M, Yamataka A.Afr J Paediatr Surg. 2021 Jan-Mar;18(1):5-8. doi: 10.4103/ajps.AJPS_17_18.PMID: 33595533 Free PMC article.


KMEL References