ABSTRACT

To evaluate the level of bacterial contamination of needles and sutures used in strabismus surgery.

Strabismus surgery was performed on 30 eyes of 20 patients in our clinic between January 2004 and June 2004. Preoperative site preparation included installation of 5% povidine-iodine in the conjunctival fornices in all cases. A total of 60 needles and 60 sutures were cultured immediately after final scleral passage.

Ten of the 20 cases (50%) produced at least one positive specimen. 8.3% of the needles and 15% of the sutures were culture positive. In all culture positive specimens 40% of the needles and 55% of the sutures produced 3 or less colony forming units (CFU). 4-6 CFU in 20% of needles and 11% of sutures, 7 or more CFU in 40% of needles and 34% of sutures were demonstrated accordance with dilution scheme. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were overwhelmingly predominated.

The amount of bacterial contamination is usually below the level known to produce endophthalmitis in strabismus surgery. Needles and sutures used in strabismus surgery can become contaminated during surgery despite povidine-iodine usage. Needles and sutures with high contamination could potentially cause postoperative intraocular infection.

Keywords: Strabismus surgery, microbial contamination, needles and sutures