OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential risk of surgical contamination by the venting port of ordinary electric drills (ED) employed in orthopaedic surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: an experimental laboratory, randomized study was developed to analyze EDs in surgical practice and new cleaned and sterilized equipment, which were contaminated with Bacillus atrophaeus spores at a concentration of 84 X 10(6) UFC. The air generated by the engine of each drill was collected and cultivated on sterile agar plates. RESULTS: Positive culture was identified in two ED in surgical practice, as well as a positive culture to Bacillus atrophaeus with 1 CFU growth (1,19 X 10-8). CONCLUSION: In the conditions of the experiment, the airgenerated by the venting port of the ED's engine does not consist of a source of contamination for the surgical site.
Orthopaedic surgery; Contamination; Orthopaedic equipment; Surgical wound infection; Prosthesis-related infection; Air microbiology
