Postoperative wound infections provide for complications in the hospital more and more often. Therefore pre-, intra- and postoperative protection of the patient from infection is very important during surgical procedures in order to prevent nosocomial infections. Crucial factors which prevent infections effectively are:

• knowledge of the causes of infections,
• the transmission possibilities of pathogenic germs,
• standardized surgery procedures.

The risk of the surgical wound being infected with microorganisms can be considerably reduced by protective measures such as the use of disposable operating theater clothing, disposable drapes as well as suitable surgical absorbent dressing materials.

Exogenous causes of contaminations
Skin, mouth and hands of the operating theater staff are a frequent source of microorganisms which can trigger nosocomial infections.  

Endogenous causes of contaminations
The patient is also colonized with microorganisms which can trigger infections.