The dispersal of organisms from minor septic lesions.

Air sampling during the incision of 40 septic lesions did not produce any evidence of dispersal of pathogenic bacteria. The removal of dressings in a sterile dressing-box was associated with the dispersal of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. From 45 dressings the average total bacterial count was 104 bacteria-containing particles per cubic foot. Thirteen out of 26 staphylococcal lesions dispersed staphylococci when the dressings were removed, the levels of staphylococci ranging from 0.3 to 33.3 colonies per cubic foot.