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1621462 
Journal Article 
Are bacterial filters needed in continuous epidural analgesia for obstetrics 
Abouleish, E; Amortegui, A; Taylor, FH 
1977 
1 
Anesthesiology
ISSN: 0003-3022
EISSN: 1528-1175 
IPA/77/261042 
VOL 46 ISS May 1977 
REF 14 
351-354 
eng 
IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP The use of Zephiran (1:750 benzalkonium chloride in 50% isopropyl alcohol) and Prepodyne (organic iodine) for skin preparation prior to analgesia, and the use of micropore bacterial filters (0.22 mum Swinnex), in preventing epidural infections, was evaluated in 95 women in active labor. A single blind study protocol was observed. During the hospital stay and within 40 days after delivery, none of the patients developed manifestations of a space occupying lesion suggestive of an epidural abscess or mass. Most of the positive cultures and the greater number of colonies were present when benzalkonium was used. This is evidence of the need for a stronger degerming agent, especially at the skin-catheter interface. It was concluded that iodine was superior to benzalkonium, and that in healthy obstetric patients a micropore filter is not needed. 
Filters; membrane; Swinnex; Benzalkonium chloride; comparison; analgesia; Iodine; comparison; Disinfectants; benzalkonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride; iodine; iodine; Zephisan; Prepodyne; HUMAN