Infection control in a hernia clinic: 24 year results of aseptic and antiseptic measure implementation in 4,620 "clean cases".

Post Mesh Herniorrhaphy Infection [PMHI] occurs between 3 to 4% of inguinal and 8 to 14% of ventral herniorrhaphies producing an unacceptably high morbidity. Before opening a Hernia Clinic, our infection rate was around 5% for "clean" inguinals and 8% for "clean" ventral herniorrhaphies. Starting in 1982 we implemented a stricter operative aseptic protocol plus the per-operative administration of 1 g of intravenous Cefazolin. In addition, wounds were irrigated with a solution containing 80 mgs of Gentamycin Sulphate dissolved in 250 ml of Normal Saline Solution. During a period of 25 years these measures were used in 4300 consecutive "clean "Inguinal and 320 "clean" Ventral herniorrhaphies. Since the implementation of the above-mentioned aseptic and antiseptic steps no further wound infections were encountered. In our hands, the combination of rigorous aseptic operating room routine plus intravenous and topical antibiotics have, up to now, effectively eliminated wound infections in "clean" herniorrhaphy cases.