Comparison of Surgical Wound Infection after Preoperative Skin Preparation with 4% 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. Material and Method: 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. Conclusion: 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.