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Disposable surgical face masks for preventing surgical wound infection in clean surgeryLipp A, Edwards P
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SummaryDisposable surgical face masks for preventing surgical wound infection in clean surgery.Surgeons and nurses performing clean surgery wear disposable face masks to prevent them breathing germs into the patients' wound. Face masks are thought to reduce the number of post-operative wound infections. Incorrectly worn masks may increase the contamination of the wound. The review of trials found no clear evidence that wearing disposable face masks increases or reduces the number of surgical wound infections in clean surgery. More research is needed.
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008 Issue 3, Copyright © 2008 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
This version first published online:
January 21. 2002 AbstractBackgroundSurgical face masks were originally developed to contain and filter droplets containing microorganisms expelled from the mouth and nasopharynx of healthcare workers during surgery, thereby providing protection for the patient. However there are several ways in which surgical face masks could potentially contribute to contamination of the surgical wound, e.g. by incorrect wear, by leaking air from the side of the mask due to poor string tension. ObjectivesTo identify and review all randomised controlled trials evaluating disposable surgical face masks worn by the surgical team during clean surgery to prevent post-operative surgical wound infection. Search strategyFor this third update we searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (Searched 4/2/08), The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) - The Cochrane Library Issue 1 2008, Ovid MEDLINE - 1950 to January Week 4 2008, Ovid EMBASE - 1980 to 2008 Week 05, Ovid CINAHL - 1982 to December Week 1 2007. Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing the use of disposable surgical masks with the use of no mask were included. Data collection and analysisData were extracted independently by two authors. Main resultsNo new trials were included in this update. Two randomised controlled trials were included involving a total of 1453 participants. In one small trial there was a trend towards masks being associated with fewer infections, whereas in one large trial there was no statistically significant difference in infection rates between the masked and unmasked group. Authors' conclusionsFrom the limited results it is unclear whether wearing surgical face masks results in any harm or benefit to the patient undergoing clean surgery. |
