Biswas, AbhijitRiain, S. Ó.Saunders, J.Barron, D.Connell, N. O.2017-01-162017-01-162015Biswas Abhijit, Riain S. Ó., Saunders J., Barron D., Connell N. O. An Assessment of the Benefit of Surgical Face Masks in Preventing Aerosol Droplet Spread during a Simulated Spinal Anaesthetic-a Blinded in vitro Study. British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research. 2015; 10(8): 1-7.2231-0614http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/181786Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the benefit of wearing a surgical face mask in reducing aerosol contamination of agar plates in a simulated spinal anaesthetic. The contamination of plates with virulent organisms, association of growth with recent upper respiratory tract infection and food intake were also studied. Methods: A poster containing written text was fixed to a wall, with a standard agar plate suspended at its midpoint. Each volunteer (n=30) then read the text from the wall chart to simulate verbal interaction with a patient during a spinal anaesthetic, initially wearing a surgical mask and then once again without a mask. Results: This study revealed an increased risk (p =0.006) of bacterial growth on agar plates when not wearing a surgical face mask. Results also suggest that eating prior to surgical procedures may increase the risk of contamination of the surgical field in the absence of a barrier mask.enFacemasksoral commensalsmeningitisArticle