PROPELLED LAVAGE IN THE REDUCTION OF POSTOPERATIVE INFECTION IN VAGINAL RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Postoperative infection is a frequent and potentially damaging sequela of vaginally approached reconstructive surgery. In this retrospective cohort study, we examined the use of lavage by means of the Vital Vue , a suction/irrigation/illumination device, in the reduction of postop erative infection in major vaginal reconstructive procedures. A consec utive group of 77 patients undergoing the same operative protocol and the same types of procedures was divided into group A, patients who un derwent their procedure before the introduction of the Vital Vue, and group B, those in whom this instrument was used. Patients in group B w ere irrigated throughout their operations with 500-750 ml of saline at 300 mm Hg. After controlling for confounding factors, use of the Vita l Vue was associated with a significant protective effect (relative ri sk 0.38, 95% confidence interval 0.14-0.99). Use of propelled stream l avage should be considered in every vaginal reparative procedure to de crease the risk of postoperative infection.