title: Infection Rates after Periocular Surgery Utilizing New versus Re-Processed Monopolar Electrocautery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine if there is a difference in periocular post-operative infection rates when utilizing new versus re-processed monopolar electrocautery tips.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study of 4,976 consecutive surgical cases involving 17,149 procedures. Post-operative infections were identified using chart review, facility infection surveillance records, and surgeon reporting. The main outcome measure was the presence or absence of infection within 30 post-operative days. The Fischer exact test was used to compare infection rates between cautery modalities. All statistical analysis was conducted at the 0.05 α level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant difference between new and re-processed monopolar cautery infection rates (p=0.3879).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Post-operative infection rates are similar for periocular surgery using both new and re-processed monopolar cautery. These findings suggest that re-processed cautery is a viable option for periocular surgery to decrease cost and reduce material waste without affecting the quality of care.
authors: 1Division of Ophthalmology, Section of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ohio University/OhioHealth Doctors Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.|2Department of Ophthalmology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Grant Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Craig N
authors: CN
authors: Czyz
authors: 3The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Benjamin D
authors: BD
authors: Abramowitz
authors: 4Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Andrew E
authors: AE
authors: Goodman
authors: 1Division of Ophthalmology, Section of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ohio University/OhioHealth Doctors Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.|2Department of Ophthalmology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Grant Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Jill A
authors: JA
authors: Foster
authors: 2Department of Ophthalmology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Grant Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Kenneth V
authors: KV
authors: Cahill
authors: 2Department of Ophthalmology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Grant Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors: Kelly R
authors: KR
authors: Everman
mesh_terms: D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*