Chlorhexidine–alcohol versus povidone–iodine as preoperative skin antisepsis for prevention of surgical site infection in cesarean delivery—a pilot randomized control trial

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To compare the efficacy of chlorhexidine–alcohol and povidone–iodine as preoperative antiseptic skin preparation for prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) after cesarean delivery (CD). Materials and methods A total of 311 eligible women who underwent CS were recruited in the study after fulfilling all the eligibility and exclusion criteria. Patients were randomized into two groups (153 in chlorhexidine–alcohol group and 158 in povidone–iodine group) by a computer-generated randomization table. Patients were followed for a period of 30 days in postoperative period to monitor for SSI. Results The rate of SSI in the chlorhexidine–alcohol group is 5.4% and that of the povidone–iodine group is 8.6%. E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii were the most common organisms isolated. E. coli was found in 9.5% of the total SSI cases. Conclusions The study found that the patients who received chlorhexidine–alcohol as skin antiseptic had less chance of developing SSI than those who received povidone–iodine; however, it did not reach a statistical significance. Trial registration Clinical Trials Registry of India CTRI/2018/05/014294. Registered on May 31, 2018