(503) The Impact of HEPA/Ultraviolet air recirculation system (HUAIRS) During Penile Prosthesis Surgery

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Airborne bacteria are a major source of wound contamination during penile prosthesis surgery. 80% of bacteria found in the wound after surgery comes from the air. Crystalline ultraviolet C (C-UVC) filter units were designed to disinfect and recirculate the air in the operating room (OR). Objective We assess the particle-reducing capacity of C-UVC units in a highly controlled operating room setting in the office and surgery center during penile prosthesis surgery. Methods A particle counter was deployed in a positive-pressure operating room and a standard office HVAC system to measure total and viable particle counts (TPC). A HEPA/Ultraviolet air recirculation system (HUAIRS) was purchased and placed into the ORs in both locations. Weekly particle count experiments were performed for 6 months in both office OR and surgery center OR settings. A C-UVC unit was kept 4 meters from the door in both settings and the particle counter was used near the operative field. Results After 6 months of weekly office-based procedure collection of data using a particle counter an 83.4% particle reduction was seen at the 5 micron level. Initially, reads were 14,143 particles and after implementation of the HUAIRS, a total particle count was 2,299 during office penile prosthesis. In the OR at the surgery center, the same weekly data collection was employed. The initial 5 micron particle count dropped 81.74% from 6,143 particles to 1,122 once the HUAIRS system was employed. Conclusions C-UVC units have shown to be capable of significantly reducing TPC in the office and operating room setting. Reducing airborne particles using C-UVC units may reduce infection rates following penile prosthesis surgery. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Coloplast.