Use of plastic adhesive drapes during surgery may increase the risk of surgical site infections. A survey of a Cochrane review
Qvist, N.; Kolmos, H.Jørn.J.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 171(41): 2989-2991
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 19814926 Document Number: 635469
In theory, the products act as a barrier, which hinders the spreading of bacteria from the deeper skin layers and hair follicles to the incision. On the other hand, the use of plastic adhesive drapes may promote bacterial overgrowth due to a >>greenhouse effect<<. This Cochrane review which is based on seven trials showed that there was no evidence that plastic adhesive drapes reduces the surgical site infection rate and some evidence that they increase infection rates in clean operations. Consequently, their use should be abandoned. Further studies are warranted to determine the effect of other adhesive products currently used.