Effect of surgical site skin preparation with povidone-iodine 7.5% and 10% with chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine 10% on microbial count

Preparing the skin for surgery with antiseptics is a standard measure to reduce surgical site infection. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of skin preparation at the surgical site with povidone-iodine 7.5% and povidone-iodine 10% antiseptics with chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine 10% on the microbial count.

This clinical trial study was performed on 80 patients with elective abdominal surgery. Patients were divided into two groups by simple random methods and proportional allocation of skin preparation with povidone-iodine 7.5% and 10% antiseptics or chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine 10% antiseptics. On the day of surgery, the culture sample was taken before the primary skin preparation, then the primary preparation was done with povidone-iodine 7.5% or chlorhexidine in alcohol, then the second culture was taken, the secondary skin preparation was done in both groups with povidone-iodine10% and then the third culture was taken. Specimens of cultures were taken on a blood agar plate and McConkey plate for the examination of microbial count and type, were immediately transferred to the laboratory.

The mean differences in microbial counts before and after skin preparation with povidone-iodine 7.5% and povidone-iodine 10% antiseptics were significant (P=0.001). Also, mean differences in microbial counts before preparation with after skin preparation with chlorhexidine in alcohol antiseptics and povidone-iodine 10% were significant (P<0.001) and in general, both antiseptic groups significantly reduced microbial counts. In comparing the effect of the two groups on the mean microbial count, although the skin preparation with chlorhexidine in alcohol and povidone-iodine 10% antiseptics was better than povidone-iodine 7.5% and povidone-iodine 10% antiseptics, the difference between the two groups was not significant (P=0.324).

Both antiseptic groups were able to significantly reduce the mean microbial counts. Therefore, it is recommended that both antiseptic groups be used to prepare skin for surgery.