Is skin disinfection with 10% povidone iodine sufficient to prevent epidural needle and catheter contamination?

Yentur E. A., Luleci N., TOPÇU İ., DEĞERLİ K., SÜRÜCÜOĞLU S.

Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, vol.28, no.5, pp.389-393, 2003 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2003
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.rapm.2003.08.002
  • Journal Name: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.389-393
  • Keywords: colonization, epidural infection, skin disinfection, povidone-iodine, epidural catheterization
  • Manisa Celal Bayar University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Epidural space infection is a potential complication of epidural catheter placement. In this study, we investigated the incidence of epidural needle and catheter contamination after skin surface disinfection with 10% povidone-iodine (PI). Methods: Sixty seven patients having surgery under epidural anesthesia were enrolled in this prospective study. After preparation with 10% PI, skin swab cultures were taken from the site of catheter insertion. Epidural needles were cultured immediately after epidural catheters were placed. Catheters were removed at 48 hours and 2 to 3 cm of the distal tips were cultured as well. Results: Fifty-six skin swabs, 52 epidural needles, and 48 catheters were cultured. Although only 3.5% (2) colonization was observed on skin surface cultures, 34.6% (18) of the epidural needles and 45.8% (22) of the catheters were colonized. No systemic or local infection was observed. Conclusion: Our results suggest that despite skin surface disinfection with PI, there is still significant risk for contamination of needles and catheters during epidural catheterization.