The incidence of potential conjunctival contamination in tonsillectomy

A. prospective study of 100 consecutive tonsillectomies was performed to as sess the incidence of potential blood contamination of the surgeons' conjun ctivae, Operating masks with plastic visors were used during these operatio ns and examined by microscopy to detect blood contamination, 46% of visors were contaminated by blood, There was no significant difference with respec t to how the operation was performed, or with the addition of adenoidectomy , but there was a significant difference between the rate of contamination between some surgeons. No surgeon performing more than three operations, ho wever, escaped contamination, We recommend that eye protection be worn rout inely in tonsillectomy.