Delayed wound closures based on bacterial counts

Abstract

Abstract There exists a quantitative relationship between bacterial contamination and clinical infection. Because of this relationship, delayed wound closure can be performed based on the number of viable bacteria present in the incision at the time of closure. This principle was applied to 95 delayed wound closures in a prospective series. Ninety‐three cases were closed when the bacterial estimate was 10 5 bacteria or fewer per gram of tissue. This resulted in a 96% successful closure rate. The method of bacterial quantification on a tissue biopsy from the wound requires 1 hr from time of culture to quantitative report to the surgeon so that closure can be effected.