EFFECT OF CHLORHEXIDINE SCRUB ON SURGICAL SITE INFECTION - A HOSPITAL BASED RANDOMIZED STUDY

Abstract

Background: In this study, we wanted to evaluate theeffect of chlorhexidine scrub on surgical site infection, compare it with povidone iodine,and evaluate the microbiological organisms found in surgical site infectionsalong with other risk factors contributing to the surgical site infections. This was a hospital Materials And Methods: based randomized control study conducted among 300 patients who presented with elective surgeries to the Department of General Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, and Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery units of PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, over a period of 9 months after obtaining clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee and written informed consent from the study participants. Surgical site infections were isolated from 14 Results: patients out of 300 (4.66%). 50% of isolated organisms (7 out of 14) were found in surgical site. The commonest organism isolated in one study was Escherichia coli followed byKlebsiella and Staphylococcus spp., by univariate analysis. Patient's age, co-morbid conditions, socioeconomic status, length of hospital stay, ASA scoring, duration of surgery, skin closure type and obesity were associated with signicance in those with MDRO infected foot ulcers. Analysis by logistic regression indicated that about 3 factors signicantly increased the risk of acquiring SSI infections: Skin closure type= suture, staples, Duration of surgery, Length of post op stay. Chlorhexidine scrub as a Conclusion: preoperative skin preparation had less number of surgical site infections when compared to povidone iodine.Factors like duration of surgery, type of surgery and length of post-operative stay had a signicant impact in development of surgical site infections.Escherichia coli is the commonest isolate from the surgical site infected patients.Surgical site infections are still a real risk for surgery and represent a substantial burden of disease for both patients and health care services in terms of morbidity, mortality and economically.Surveillance of surgical site infections with feedback of appropriate data to surgeons would be desirable to reduce the surgical site infection rates.Chlorhexidine is commercially available in aqueous or alcohol formulations and has broad activity against gram positive and negative bacteria, anaerobes, yeast and some lipid enveloped viruses.Research has shown that surgical techniques, skin preparation and the timing, method of wound closure and length of hospital stay are signicant factors that can inuence of subsequent infection.