title: The antimicrobial effectiveness of operative-site preparative agents: a microbiological and clinical study.
abstract: Eight wound preparative agents (one triclosan compound, one hexachlorophene compound, and six iodophors) were evaluated under actual operating-room conditions for efficacy in de-germing the operative site prior to the performance of 310 total hip arthroplasties. All of the preparations tested achieved a significant reduction (p less than or equal to 0.001) of indigenous skin microflora compared with the pre-scrub level in both the post-scrub and the postoperative cultures. Two iodophors, when applied as sprays, demonstrated excellent bactericidal action, were less time-consuming and easier to use than the compounds that were applied as scrubs, and did not alter the low (0.42 per cent) infection rate that we have recorded over a period of four years.
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004203:Disinfection; D006582:Hexachlorophene / Q000494:pharmacology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007466:Iodophors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D013242:Sterilization; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D014260:Triclosan / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D007466:Iodophors; D014260:Triclosan; D007455:Iodine; D006582:Hexachlorophene