Does methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus have a significant role in the peri-operative course of patients undergoing rhinological surgery?
OBJECTIVE
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections are becoming an increasing problem, but the link with symptomatic sino-nasal infection has not previously been quantified. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in patients undergoing sino-nasal surgery.


METHODS
A retrospective study of case notes.


METHODS
A district general hospital.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-one adult patients undergoing in-patient endonasal surgery over a 12-month period were considered for the study.


METHODS
Swab results from pre-operative screening and from any intra- and post-operative samples of infective mucopus.


RESULTS
One hundred and fifty-one patients undergoing endonasal surgery were included. All patients had pre-operative nasal swabs taken. Twenty-five patients had peri-operative microbiology samples taken. Only one middle meatal swab was found to contain methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. No patients had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus detected on pre-operative screening. Haemophilus influenzae was the most common organism detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection does not represent a significant source of morbidity in our practice.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, UK. carl.philpott@btinternet.com
C M
CM
Philpott
A
A
Sharma
D C
DC
McKiernan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002353:Carrier State / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*