Contamination of evacuated pneumoperitoneum air following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: preliminary results from a prospective study
Oshodi, T.O.; Carbarns, N.B.; Rees, B.I.
Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 41(2): 82-83
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-8835 PMID: 8632394 Document Number: 458492
A prospective microbiological analysis of evacuated pneumoperitoneum air in 20 patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease is reported. In six patients (30%) a positive culture was obtained, out of which five had bowel derived organisms. Bile specimens taken at the same time as the air specimens were similarly cultured but failed to yield any organisms. There were no post-operative septic complications. There were no deaths. The initial results suggest that the evacuated peritoneal air is a potential source of contamination to the theatre staff and environment. This must be borne in mind when advocating laparoscopic procedures for treatment of high-risk patients.