Method of Prevention of Bacterial Dermatitis During Adhesive Strapping of Infantile Umbilical Hernia

Abstract

Purpose: During the adhesive strapping for infantile umbilical hernia, bacterial dermatitis is a cause of concern. The aim of this study is to search for adequate sterilization materials.

Methods: During 15 months from January 2015, patients with infantile umbilical hernias were studied. Bacterial counts obtained using Clean Stamp Nissui were recorded in four clinical cases: without any sterilization, with sterilization using 80% ethanol only (ethanol), with that using 0.05% chlorhexidinegluconate (CHG), and with that using 0.05% chlorhexidinegluconate 80% ethanol (CHG-E), each with 10 cases. The central part of a 4 cm² area on the stamp was counted after being cultured.

Results: Bacterial dermatitis occurred 4 times in patients without any sterilization, 3 times in those using ethanol, once in those using CHG, and none in those using CHG-E. Common counts of bacterial colonies were taken at the time before the first strapping and after about one week of the last strapping. All colony counts were less than 500/4 cm². In the absence of sterilization, the colony counts increased from 721.5 ± 531.4/4 cm² to 999.2 ± 404.6/4 cm² at the next change of strapping. In the case of ethanol sterilization, before sterilization, it was 691.1 ± 439.8/4 cm², and it immediately decreased to 56.7 ± 85.9/4 cm² after sterilization.

However, about one week later, it became 939.1 ± 334.1/ 4 cm². In the case of CHG sterilization, before sterilization, it was 626.6 ± 511.1/4 cm², and there was no significant change after sterilization. About one week later, it increased 875.3 ± 471.7/4 cm². In the case of CHG-E sterilization, the bacterial colony counts were less than 500/4 cm² most of the time.

Conclusions: The use of CHG-E sterilization is effective in preventing bacterial dermatitis during adhesive strapping.