Simple slide to protect against hospital infections

Bacteria-impermeable film reduces the risk of wound infection

07/19/2014

A simple, bacteria-impermeable film can save lives, because the wound cover prevents serious hospital infections. This is indicated by the Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technische Universität München. The scientists came to the conclusion that about one third of the infections could be avoided after abdominal surgery. Between 60,000 and 200,000 cases of wound infections occur every year in Germany, and an estimated 7,500 to 15,000 people die of it.

Hospital infections are the most common complication after surgery
Wound infections are the most common complication after surgery - often with serious consequences for the patient. In addition, if the inflammation is caused by antibiotic-resistant germs, the treatment becomes more difficult. In order to keep the risk of infections as low as possible, hygiene regulations were introduced in the clinics. These include, for example, the sterility of surgical instruments and the disinfecting hand washing of the operating physicians before each procedure. Nevertheless, more and more cases of wound infections occur.

Scientists led by Professor Jörg Kleeff from the Department of Surgery at the Klinikum rechts der Isar could now have found a solution to the problem. As in the trade magazine „ Annals of Surgery“ a simple slide can significantly reduce the risk of infection. Accordingly, wound infections are much rarer when the wound edges are covered with a bacteria-impermeable film during the operation. Because the protective effect of the film prevents the germs can penetrate into the wound. As the hospital informs, this measure is particularly successful in surgical procedures on colon and rectum, as there are particularly many pathogens in these areas. The study found that "in the group of patients who used the abdominal film during surgery, there were 35 percent fewer infections compared to the control group, which used to cover the abdominal wall as usual".

The number of hospital infections could be reduced by film by about one third
„Conservatively estimated, about one third of the postoperative wound infections in abdominal surgery could be prevented with the abdominal film. This should prompt us to establish the abdominal wall covering the entire area of ​​surgery“, explains Kleeff. Although the idea of ​​realizing the wound covering with a film is not new, its usefulness has not yet been sufficiently investigated. „Many studies were performed so inadequately methodically that no sound statement could be made about the effectiveness of the abdominal film. With our current study involving more than 600 patients, we now have reliable figures. With the help of the CHIR-Net Surgical Research Network, we carried out the project with 15 partner clinics and saw the same effect everywhere - which underpins our findings very solidly“, emphasizes the surgeon. (Ag)