Bacterial contamination of needles used for intravitreal injections: Comparison between 27-gauge and 30-gauge needles


Tufan H. A., Vural A., Gencer B., Kara S., Arikan S., Yuksel E.

Ocular Immunology and Inflammation, cilt.21, sa.5, ss.366-370, 2013 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 21 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2013
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3109/09273948.2013.801988
  • Dergi Adı: Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.366-370
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Conjunctiva, Contamination, Endophthalmitis, Intravitreal injection, Needle
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Purpose: To compare the contamination rate between 27-gauge and 30-guage needles used for intravitreal injection (IVT). Methods: Patients undergoing IVT injections were enrolled prospectively. Injections were performed with 27- or 30-gauge needles. All needle tips were collected and placed in brain-heart infusion broth. The contamination rates of needles were compared. Results: A total of 109 patients participated in the study and a total of 126 IVT injections were performed. Injections were performed by 27-gauge (49%) and 30-gauge (51%) needle. No patient developed endophthalmitis. The overall contamination rate of the used needles were 13% for 27-guage and 29% for 30-guage (p=0.022). However, this difference was nonsignificant after Bonferroni's correction was applied. The most common bacteria isolated from the used needles are coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS). Conclusion: The results suggest that the needle bore size seems not to be a risk factor for contamination during IVT injection. © 2013 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.