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Skin Sterility After Application of a Vapocoolant Spray Part 2

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  • Experimental/Special Topics
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Abstract

Introduction

Refrigerant sprays have been used for pain relief at the time of minor office procedures. However, their sterility remains in question. This study investigates the microbiologic effect of this vapocoolant when sprayed after 70 % isopropyl alcohol skin preparation.

Materials and Methods

In 50 healthy volunteers, three skin culture samples were collected: Group 1 prior to alcohol application; Group 2 after preparation with alcohol, and Group 3 after preparation with alcohol followed with vapocoolant spray. Samples were cultured in a blinded fashion and analyzed after 5 days of incubation. Gram staining was performed when cultures were positive.

Results

Bacterial growth was found in 98 % of samples prior to any skin preparation. This was reduced to 54 % after alcohol use (Group 2). Spraying with the skin refrigerant further reduced bacterial growth to 46 % (Group 3). The results showed a significant reduction in the number of positive bacterial cultures following skin preparation with alcohol and when alcohol prep was followed by vapocoolant spray (p < 0.001) compared to initial cultures. No statistical difference was observed between Groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.74).

Conclusions

The use of the vapocoolant spray does not compromise the sterility of the skin following alcohol prep. Both 70 % isopropyl alcohol antiseptic preparation and skin preparation followed by vapocoolant spray significantly reduce skin colonization when compared to unprepared skin (p < 0.001).

Level of Evidence I

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Gebauer Co, Cleveland, OH.

Conflict of interest

No author has any conflicts of interest, including specific financial interests and relationships relevant to the subject matter or materials discussed in the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk A60, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Karolina Mlynek, Bryson Richards, William Schleicher, Bahar Bassiri Gharb & James Zins

  2. UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Hwang Lyahn

  3. Department of Molecular Microbiology, Parasitology and Mycology Laboratories, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Gary Procop

  4. Department of Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Marion Tuohy

Authors
  1. Karolina Mlynek
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  2. Hwang Lyahn
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  3. Bryson Richards
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  4. William Schleicher
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  5. Bahar Bassiri Gharb
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  6. Gary Procop
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  7. Marion Tuohy
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  8. James Zins
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James Zins.

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Mlynek, K., Lyahn, H., Richards, B. et al. Skin Sterility After Application of a Vapocoolant Spray Part 2. Aesth Plast Surg 39, 597–601 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-015-0509-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-015-0509-5

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