Efficacy of preoperative nasal decontamination in patients as a prevention of surgical site infection by staphylococcus aureus and MRSA

Ιntroduction: The Staphylococcus aureus and resistant strain of methicillin related to surgical site infection. Nasal decontamination with topical formulations combined with other prevention measures is reported for the preoperative preparation of patients.

Purpose: The main purpose of the review was to investigate the application of nasal decontamination with topical formulations for prevention of surgical site infection.

Methods and material: The literature of the decade 2002-2012 was studied. General articles for staphylococcus and special articles for nasal decontamination and surgical site infection from scientific databases (eg PUBMED) were studied. Also specific scientific guidelines and websites of international and Greek organizations were studied.

Results: From the sources which were studied it is showed that nasal decontamination maybe reduces the rate of postoperative infection at selected surgical operations. Protocols hospitals in countries where staphylococcus is endemic mention it as an additional preventive measure before these operations. However, it is emphasized that it should be done to patients-carriers of the bacterium after screening test and not routinely in all patients due to the bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Another point of concern is the short-lived decolonization which nasal decontamination offers.

Conclusion: In countries, where staphylococcus is endemic, nasal decontamination is applied for prevention of surgical site infection before selected surgical operations and only on patients - carriers of the bacterium. The wide application is avoided because of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials. In other countries, the guidelines have a consultative role. New researches are continuing to update the guidelines.