The Effect of Plasma-air-filtration on the Incidence of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopaedic Surgery

The air-cleaner sterilizes the air particles through a plasma chamber. Air in the operating theatre is pumped through the chamber (80 - 380 m3/Hr) and by using a small current it transforms the gas in the vicinity of the electrode into plasma and eradicates any bacteria that pass through. The air-cleaner has to have been turned on for at least 2 days prior to the surgical intervention.

The machine decribed above is running but the plasma filter chamber isn't active, i.e. the placebo group.

Patients with multiple surgeries that have been operated during both periods when the apparatus has been on and off will belong to this mixed group.