title: The effect of the biopatch, a chlorhexidine impregnated dressing, on bacterial colonization of epidural catheter exit sites.
abstract: We performed a prospective, randomized study in 55 ASA I to 3 women undergoing elective gynaecological surgery followed by postoperative epidural analgesia. We compared the incidence of bacterial colonization at the epidural exit site following catheter removal between a control group and an experimental group who received a chlorhexidine impregnated dressing (Biopatch, Johnson and Johnson, Arlington, TX, U.S.A.). Positive culture results were found in 11 of 27 (40.1%) patients in the control group compared with one of 29 (3.4%) patients whose epidural catheters were dressed with the Biopatch. We concluded that the Biopatch was effective in reducing bacterial colonization of the epidural catheter exit site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Women and Infants Research Foundation, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Orlikowski
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Gurrin
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Keil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002710:Chlorhexidine