The Bainbridge Limb Preparation Sleeve

Preparation of the skin with antiseptic is now a routine, although it is only 100 years since patients routinely died of sepsis from non sterile instruments and skin. The importance of skin preparation is now recognised even more in the field of large joint arthroplasty where skin commensals can wreak havoc, costing the healthcare system millions of pounds.

Charnley is credited with the system of pre-preparation of the limb to increase the duration of exposure to the antiseptic and therefore reduce the risk of infection, however this can be difficult to do and to maintain sterility whilst bringing the patient into the theatre (OR).

Newer problems arise with skin preparation today, when theatre staff may have to hold a heavy limb for skin preparation with consequent risk of back injury and pain.

For surgeons and theatre managers the delays in theatre from skin preparation reduce efficiency and decrease throughput. A system to allow skin preparation in the ward or prior to induction of anaesthesia could save money and increase theatre utilisation.

The Bainbridge Limb Preparation Sleeve has been called Charnley Pre-prep for the 21st century. The device fulfils all of the aims above in a simple and robust fashion. The sleeve is a development between Dr Bainbridge, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and the East Midlands NHS Innovation hub.

How does it work?

The first step shown here in the OR but designed to be done prior to theatre is to apply the sleeve to the arm. The sleeve is supplied sterile to be opened just prior to use. The open end is passed over the arm.

The next step is to open the port and to instil the preferred antiseptic and then reseal the port.

Once the arm is thoroughly prepared and adequate time has elapsed the distal end of the sleeve is removed and the arm extruded through the distal blue sleeve which is designed to maintain total sterility of the limb

The whole limb is now exposed ready for the drape to be applied and surgery to commence.

We also have a video of the procedure which is available to download or we can send you a high resolution copy.