Facial and body blood contamination in major gynecologic surgeries.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of facial and body blood contamination in various major gynecologic surgeries.


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted over a 6-month period on 122 major gynecologic surgeries (abdominal and vaginal) to determine the incidence of blood splashes on masks, goggles (or spectacles), body and feet of surgeons and assistants.


RESULTS
The overall incidence of blood splashes was 49.18%, 59.5%, 28.68% and 22.95% on surgeons masks, goggles, body and feet, respectively. This incidence was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than for first assistants, who showed an incidence of blood splashes of 35.24% (mask), 38.13% (goggles), 20.49% (body) and 9.83% (feet). The lowest incidence of splashes was seen on second assistants, with 22.1% (mask), 24.73% (goggles), 10.52% (body) and 7.36% (feet). There was no significant difference in the facial splash rate between major abdominal and vaginal surgeries, but body and feet contamination was significantly higher in major vaginal surgeries (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a very high risk of facial and body blood contamination in major gynecologic surgeries, putting the surgeon and assistants at risk of acquiring viral disease. Routine use of universal precautions in all gynecologic surgeries is strongly recommended.
Sharma
Jai B
JB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India. jbsharma@eth.net
Gupta
Amita
A
Malhotra
Monika
M
Arora
Raksha
R
D001769:Blood / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000601:surgery; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D013513:Obstetric Surgical Procedures; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000635:transmission*