Yentur E.A.Luleci N.Topcu I.Degerli K.Surucuoglu S.2024-07-222024-07-22200310987339http://akademikarsiv.cbu.edu.tr:4000/handle/123456789/20270Background and Objectives: Epidural space infection is a potential complication of epidural catheter placement. In this study, we investigated the incidence of epidural needle and catheter contamination after skin surface disinfection with 10% povidone-iodine (PI). Methods: Sixty seven patients having surgery under epidural anesthesia were enrolled in this prospective study. After preparation with 10% PI, skin swab cultures were taken from the site of catheter insertion. Epidural needles were cultured immediately after epidural catheters were placed. Catheters were removed at 48 hours and 2 to 3 cm of the distal tips were cultured as well. Results: Fifty-six skin swabs, 52 epidural needles, and 48 catheters were cultured. Although only 3.5% (2) colonization was observed on skin surface cultures, 34.6% (18) of the epidural needles and 45.8% (22) of the catheters were colonized. No systemic or local infection was observed. Conclusion: Our results suggest that despite skin surface disinfection with PI, there is still significant risk for contamination of needles and catheters during epidural catheterization.Englishbatticonbupivacainecefazolincefotaximeceftazidimefentanylpovidone iodinetopical antiinfective agentunclassified drugadultarticlebacterial colonizationcathetercatheterizationclinical trialdisinfectionepidural anesthesiaepidural spaceequipmenthumanincidenceinfectioninstrumentationmajor clinical studymethodologymicrobiologyneedlepriority journalprospective studyskinskin cultureskin decontaminationStaphylococcus epidermidisArticle10.1016/j.rapm.2003.08.002