Comparison of surgical wound infection after preoperative skin preparation with 4% chlorhexidine [correction of chlohexidine] and povidone iodine: a prospective randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Antiseptic scrub and paint can reduce bacterial colonization and postoperative wound infection. Two forms of antiseptics, povidone iodine and chlorhexidine, are commonly used in the operating theater.


OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of the reduction of bacterial colonization and surgical wound infection among these antiseptic.


METHODS
Five hundred surgical patients were randomly divided into two groups. Povidone Iodine and Chlorhexidine were used for skin preparation in group 1 and 2 respectively Bacterial colonization and postoperative wound infection were examined after skin preparation. Demographic data was analyzed by student's t test; the culture result and surgical wound infection were analyzed by Mantel-Haenszel method for relative risk and 95% CI.


RESULTS
There was a significant reduction of bacterial colonization and wound infection after skin preparation in group 2 compared with group 1.


CONCLUSIONS
Colonization of bacterial and postoperative surgical wound infection were significantly reduced in the chlorhexidine group. Chlorhexidine antiseptic should be the first consideration for preoperative skin preparation.
Paocharoen
Veeraya
V
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Mingmalairak
Chatchai
C
Apisarnthanarak
Anucha
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D002710:Chlorhexidine