Detection of Cutibacterium acnes in Tissue Samples from Primary Clean Shoulder Surgeries - Part I.

Objective  The present study aimed to identify bacterial agents in shoulder surgery specimens from patients with no history of previous shoulder infection or surgery. Methods  Tendon, bursa, and bone specimens were collected during surgery, stored in sterile dry bottles, and sent to a hospital-associated laboratory for culture growth analysis in media for aerobic and anaerobic agents. Findings from 141 samples from 47 shoulders were analyzed. Results  The cultures were negative in 46 cases (97.8%) and in 140 samples (99.2%). The culture was positive in a single patient, with growth of Staphylococcus hominis from one of three specimens collected. Conclusions  The rates of bacterial growth were not consistent with the international literature, indicating the low effectiveness of laboratory methods used in Brazil.