[The bacteria stop system of Meierhans-Weber as room air technical alternative to laminar-air-flow and its air hygienic effectiveness].

Statistics of wound infections demonstrate the linear dependence between postoperative wound infection and the quantity of bacteria in the air of operating theatres. In the most extensive examination series we have made as yet with a special work group of DGOT the quantity of bacteria in the air of non air-conditioned operating theatres and such fitted out with different aircleaning systems was determined. Non air-conditioned operating theatres proved so extremely infected that the risk of wound infection cannot be borne any more in the future. Also air-conditioned systems according to DIN 1946/4 with an average of 190 bacteria/m3 are not sufficiently secure for bone and joint surgery. In Switzerland for such operations a value of 10/m3 at the most is admissible. Such equivalents have been attained only with LAF until today. After extensive air tests the so-called "Keimstop"-system by Meierhans and Weber is to be considered the sole system suitable to supplement air conditioning DIN 1946/4. This combination yields the same effect as the expensive LAF systems.