title: Outbreak of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery: the importance of the quality of the surgical wound.
abstract: Postoperative endophthalmitis is a rare but potentially devastating condition. We investigated an outbreak of 8 cases of endophthalmitis in patients who underwent phakectomy performed by a single surgeon from January through September 2004. The outbreak was traced to damaged surgical blades, and it highlights the importance of the quality of the surgical wound.
authors.affiliation: Infection Control Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hugonnet
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dosso
authors.forename: Sasi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dharan
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Maria-Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Herrero
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Régnier
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pittet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology