Cavalli Stefano, Caterino Chiara, Nocera Francesca Paola, Pizzano Francesca, Schena Rossana, Aragosa Federica, Arslan Sinem, Della Valle Giovanni, De Martino Luisa, Fatone Gerardo
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Vet Sci. 2025 Jun 9;12(6):564. doi: 10.3390/vetsci12060564.
(1) Background: postoperative surgical-site infections are a significant complication in small-animal surgical procedures, with detected rates ranging from 0.8% to 18.1%, depending on the type of surgery. The sterilization process of surgical instruments is a crucial factor in infection control, but the shelf life of surgical instruments and the best packaging method are not precisely defined due to the multiple variables that influence them. This study aimed to assess the shelf life of surgical instruments stored under controlled environmental conditions in a veterinary hospital and compare two packaging methods: using a self-sealing single pouch versus a self-sealing double pouch. (2) Methods: a sample of 400 non-sterile screws was divided into three groups: Group 1 (175 screws in single pouches), Group 2 (175 screws in double pouches), and Group 3 (50 non-sterile screws as a control group to verify the microbial culture efficiency). Microbiological tests were conducted at 1, 7, 15, 30, 60, 182, and 390 days post-sterilization. (3) Results: no bacterial growth was detected on screws packaged in single and double pouches up to 182 days. However, after 390 days, bacterial growth was observed in one screw packaged in a single pouch. In Group 3, only two screws turned out to be bacteriologically positive. (4) Conclusions: no statistical difference was found between the two groups; however, the detection of a single positive screw in the single-pouch group raised a potential clinical consideration, suggesting the need for further studies based on events and time.
(1) 背景：术后手术部位感染是小动物外科手术中的一种重要并发症，根据手术类型不同，其检出率在0.8%至18.1%之间。手术器械的灭菌过程是感染控制的关键因素，但由于影响手术器械保质期和最佳包装方法的变量众多，其保质期和最佳包装方法尚未明确界定。本研究旨在评估在兽医医院可控环境条件下储存的手术器械的保质期，并比较两种包装方法：使用自封单袋与自封双袋。(2) 方法：将400颗非无菌螺钉样本分为三组：第1组（175颗螺钉装于单袋中）、第2组（175颗螺钉装于双袋中）和第3组（50颗非无菌螺钉作为对照组以验证微生物培养效率）。在灭菌后第1、7、15、30、60、182和390天进行微生物检测。(3) 结果：在长达182天的时间里，装于单袋和双袋中的螺钉均未检测到细菌生长。然而，390天后，在一个装于单袋中的螺钉上观察到细菌生长。在第3组中，仅有两颗螺钉细菌学检测呈阳性。(4) 结论：两组之间未发现统计学差异；然而，单袋组中检测到一颗阳性螺钉引发了潜在的临床思考，表明需要基于事件和时间进行进一步研究。
