Cosmetic Surgery Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Cosmetic Surgery, including details on microsurgery, reconstruction, techniques, risks.

Ocular contamination during lesional surgery-a hazard for the plastic surgeon.

McNamara IR, Tehrani H, Sassoon EM

The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust, Norwich NR3 6QT, UK.

Protective glasses reduce the risk of transconjunctival virus transmission although this has never been characterised for local anaesthetic skin lesion surgery. This study investigated the use of, and need for, protective eyewear during Plastic Surgery and the surgeons' attitude to risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study 1. A multi-center questionnaire recorded the attitudes of Plastic surgeons' regarding goggle use and ocular viral transmission. Study 2. A single surgeon performed local anaesthetic skin lesion surgery over 8 months whilst wearing clean goggles. After each procedure the goggles were inspected for macroscopic splashes and a record made of whether the operator had been aware of the splash occurrence. RESULTS: Study 1. There were 36 respondents to the questionnaire (response rate of 84%). All grades recognized the risk of conjunctival contamination but most respondents did not wear goggles. Respondents changed their behaviour, however, in 'high risk' cases. Study 2. 143 procedures resulted in 42 splashes. The surgeon was only aware of the splash in 6 cases. CONCLUSION: Despite widespread recognition of the importance of eye protection, goggle use is still infrequent. Our study stresses the frequency of potential splashes to the eye and need for routine use of goggles to prevent viral transmission.

Published 26 December 2005 in Br J Plast Surg.
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