Surgical infection in a videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy when using peracetic acid for the sterilization of instruments.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of surgical site infection in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with instruments sterilized by peracetic acid.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, cohort, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Peracetic acid has been used for sterilization following the protocol recommended by the manufacturer. We observed the criteria and indicators of process and structure for preventing surgical site infection pre and intraoperatively. For epidemiological surveillance, outpatient visits were scheduled for the 15th and between the 30th and 45th days after discharge.

RESULTS

Among the 247 patients, there were two cases of surgical site infection (0.8%). One patient was readmitted to systemic antibiotic therapy and percutaneous puncture; in the other the infection was superficial and followed at the clinic.

CONCLUSION

Ethical issues prevent the conduction of a prospective study because of peracetic acid have been banned for the sterilization of instruments that penetrate organs and cavities. Nevertheless, these results encourage prospective case-control studies comparing its use (historical control) with ethylene oxide sterilization.