Bacteriological study of surgical knives: is the use of two blades necessary?

Scalpel blades used in 115 operations were studied bacteriologically. In each case the knife used for skin incision was discarded immediately after the incision and a fresh knife was used to complete the operation. The scalpel blades were cultured in enriched thioglycolate and incubated at 37 degrees C. Readings were taken at 24 and 48 h. From positive cultures, colonies were isolated directly in solid media, and the germ was identified using routine tests. Results showed that there was no bacteriological evidence to justify the use of different blades for skin incision and deep dissection.