Abstract

Aim: Clinical evaluation of preoperative skin preparation with aqueous povidoneiodinealone
and in combination with alcoholic chlorhexidine in patients undergoing
electivesurgery
Material and methods: This observational study was carried out in the Department
ofGeneralSurgeryRamaMedicalcollegeandhospitalHapur.120Patientsofallagegroupsund
ergoing elective surgery in the Department of General Surgery with a clean woundwere
included in this study. 120 patients divided into 2 equals groups. For Group-
1antisepticregimenusedisthreecoatsofaqueouspovidone-iodineIP5%w/v.ForGroup-2
antiseptic regimen used is a single coat of agent containing chlorhexidinegluconate2.5%
v/v in 70% propanol followed by two coats of aqueous povidone-iodine IP 5% w/v.The
pre- operative antibiotic used is Cefotaxime 1 gram I.V given following a test
dose;onehourpriorto incision.
Results:Thereare7patientsingroup-1and2patientingroup-2whohadpositiveculturewhich
is found to be statistically significant. Post-operatively patients were followed upto the
time of suture removal (usually 7-10 days) to know the percent of cases whodeveloped
wound infections. There were 7 cases in group-1 and 2 case in group-2 whodeveloped
postoperative wound infections. It is noted that out of 7 cases with growth ingroup-1,
only 4 had post-operative wound infection and the other 3 were ward
acquired.Similarly,theonlyinfectionin group-2 is hospitalacquired.
Conclusion:Thepresentstudyconfirmsthesuperiorityofpovidone-iodineincombination
with alcoholic chlorhexidine over povidone-iodine alone in pre-operativeskin
preparation and warrants recommendation of it as a preferred antiseptic in
skinpreparation forelectivecleansurgery