Risk of blood splashes to the eye during surgery.
BACKGROUND
With the advent of a new infectious era involving the HIV and hepatitis B and C viruses, concern has arisen about transmission of these viruses through ocular blood splashes during surgery. The purpose of the study was to determine the risk of ocular blood splashes to surgeons and their assistants during surgery.


METHODS
Surgeons and assistants in several surgical disciplines were requested to wear facemasks with a transparent plastic visor. The visors were collected postoperatively and inspected for macroscopic and microscopic blood splashes.


RESULTS
Fifty-nine per cent of the surgeons and assistants refused to wear facemasks with a visor. The incidence of blood splashes in those who participated was 45%. There was a trend for blood splashes to be more common during major surgery and during elective surgery. Surgeons and assistants were subject to similar risk.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the significant risk of ocular blood splashes during surgery, while also suggesting that both surgeons and assistants lack appreciation of the risk.
De Silva
R
R
Department of Surgery and Medical Research Council Liver Research Centre, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town.
Mall
A
A
Panieri
E
E
Stupart
D
D
Kahn
D
D
D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000635:transmission; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000635:transmission*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D019990:Perioperative Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*