Bacterial growth on adhesive dressing tapes used for the closure of surgical wounds

Lipscombe, S.; Juma, Ali

doi:10.1007/s00238-006-0092-8

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…However, the use of adhesive adjuncts may stimulate the host's response to infection. 39,40 The development of wound infection may be influenced by the location as well as the nature of the surgical operation. Patient's skin flora is the main source of pathogens involved in the majority of superficial surgical infections.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adhesive Strips for the Closure of Surgical Incisional Sites

et al. 2011

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adhesive Strips for the Closure of Surgical Incisional Sites

et al. 2011

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“…Using microbial cultures once per month, 506 cultures were obtained for 361 patients over one year. Several factors were significantly correlated with colonization, including the In vitro work using tape samples from patients Berkowitz et al, 1974 9 Marples et al, 1985 10 Keys et al, 1978 11 Aziz et al, 1984 12 Rammaert et al, 2012 13 Livesley and Richardson,1993 14 Bundy, 1989 15 Powell et al, 1987 16 CDC, 1978 17 Diaz et al, 1986 18 Love, 2013 19 Krug et al, 2016 20 Oldman, 1991 21 James et al, 2000 22 Gartemberg et al, 1978 23 Stiller et al, 1994 24 Krug et al, 2014 25 Lindberg et al, 2017 6 Redelmeier & Livesley, 1999 26 Arpin et al, 2002 27 Bauer and Densen, 1979 28 Hughes et al, 1995 29 Mantyh et al, 2017 30 Cady et al, 2011 31 Lipscombe and Juma, 2007 32 Everett et al, 1979 33 du Plessis et al, 1997 34 Spencer et al, 2018 35 Harris et al, 2012 36 Bottone et al, 1979 37 Dickinson et al, 1998 38 Hooker et al, 2020 7 Mead et al, 1979 39 Alsuwaida 2002 40 Dennis et al, 1980 42 Garg et al, 2009 43 Patterson et al, 1986 44 McClusky et al, 2015 41 Endoh et al, 2004 45 Christiaens et al, 2005 46 Lalayanni et al, 2012 47 Foster ...…”

Section: In Vitro Work Using Samples From Patientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infection prevention practices and the use of medical tapes

Bernatchez

Schommer

2021

American Journal of Infection Control

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Background: Medical tapes are ubiquitous in healthcare and there are currently no guidelines for their storage and use. Tapes cannot be cleaned or disinfected; yet, several clinicians may use a given roll for any number of patients. Reports of tape contamination associated with clinical infection have been published. Purpose: We reviewed the literature reporting microbiological studies, case reports of infections, and nosocomial outbreaks associated with the use of medical tapes and other adhesive devices to assess the prevalence of this problem. Methods: We conducted a literature search for cross-contamination due to medical tape use in 6 databases in June 2020 using indexing terms for surgical tape, adhesive agent, adhesives or the keyword for tape. We compiled available evidence on tape contamination as a cause for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Main findings: Forty-two publications reported relevant microbiological studies, case reports of infections, and/or nosocomial outbreaks. Results demonstrated that tape rolls handled with questionable practices can harbor pathogens. Some studies showed the association between contaminated tape and HAIs, which in some cases even led to death. Conclusions: The time has come to establish national guidelines to help reduce the risk of cross-contamination from medical tapes. We offer suggested elements for these guidelines. The COVID-19 pandemic brings greater scrutiny to eliminate any avoidable cause of infection transmission.

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“…In a recent retrospective analysis of 1216 cosmetic breast surgery patients, Hever et al 28 suggested no difference between the use of Micropore tape and other conventional wound dressings in the prevalence of postoperative wound healing problems in cosmetic breast surgery. Hever states that “evidence suggests that the use of Micropore TM tape as a dressing for surgical incisions may be associated with reduced/comparable rates of infection in surgical wounds.” They also suggest that introduction of Micropore as inner dressing may “have significant cost implications, both in terms of reducing the costs associated with the dressing of surgical wounds, and costs associated with managing infective complications.” Hever, however, links the claimed evidence of reduced rates of infection to an article by Lipscombe and Juma, 29 who applied unsterile versus sterile microporous tape onto disinfected but intact skin in volunteers and merely measured the bacterial growth underneath the tapes at 1 week after application. The fact that that microporous tapes provide favorable microenvironments with less bacterial proliferation than occlusive barriers has been well documented.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They also suggest that introduction of Micropore as inner dressing may "have significant cost implications, both in terms of reducing the costs associated with the dressing of surgical wounds, and costs associated with managing infective complications." Hever, however, links the claimed evidence of reduced rates of infection to an article by Lipscombe and Juma, 29 who applied unsterile versus sterile microporous tape onto disinfected but intact skin in volunteers and merely measured the bacterial growth underneath the tapes at 1 week after application. The fact that that microporous tapes provide favorable microenvironments with less bacterial proliferation than occlusive barriers has been well documented.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applying Unsterile Microporous Tape onto Surgical Wounds: Tape Contamination and Clinical Rationale

Ausen

Kroknes

Gunnarson

et al. 2021

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Background: Fomites are surfaces that carry contaminants and may cause infection. We wanted to assess the bacterial load on rolls of nonsterile microporous tape in a hospital setting and explore the scientific rationale behind the existing practice of applying unsterile adhesives onto a surgical wound. Methods: We analyzed the aerobic bacterial contamination in rolls of microporous tape collected from surgical theaters, outpatient clinics, and storage rooms at St. Olav’s University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway between 2018 and 2020. We also reviewed the literature for relevant publications. Results: A total of 58 rolls were collected; 55 were included for final analysis. Exposed tape surfaces were significantly more contaminated than unexposed surfaces. Tape rolls from outpatient clinics were significantly more contaminated and contained a significantly greater variety of microbes than rolls from operation theaters and storage rooms. Unexposed surfaces from both operation theaters and storage rooms demonstrated very little contamination. Conclusions: Rolls of tape may act as fomites, but widespread use of adhesives is inevitable in hospital settings. Removing the outer layer of a tape roll before use may significantly reduce bacterial contamination. Given sufficient vigilance to avoid cross-contamination, inner layers of tape may represent a close-to-sterile alternative as surgical dressing. However, the economic savings constitute a negligible fraction of the total costs of the surgery, and the risk of contamination seems apparent. Scientific support of dressing a fresh surgical wound with unsterile microporous tape is lacking, and we therefore do not recommend the practice except in situations with very limited resources.

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Bacterial growth on adhesive dressing tapes used for the closure of surgical wounds

Cited by 4 publications

References 6 publications

Adhesive Strips for the Closure of Surgical Incisional Sites

Adhesive Strips for the Closure of Surgical Incisional Sites

Infection prevention practices and the use of medical tapes

Applying Unsterile Microporous Tape onto Surgical Wounds: Tape Contamination and Clinical Rationale

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