Microbial growth in a mixture of hyperbaric bupivacaine and fentanyl prepared in a multi-dose syringe in the operating theatre environment

Abstract

Background: A protocol has been devised in which a 20ml mixture of hyperbaric bupivacaine and fentanyl is prepared in a multi-dose syringe, from which aliquots are withdrawn into individual sterile syringes for use in spinal anaesthesia. The risk of microbial contamination of these multi-dose syringes is unknown and this study was designed to assess such risk.