Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in water is equivalent to povidone iodine in eradicating skin flora before urological surgery.

Methods: We used a prospective randomized controlled cohort trial to compare 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in water and povidone iodine solution for presurgical skin preparation. We included patients who underwent open urological surgeries in surgical operating rooms, with no differentiation regarding gender, age and procedure. Those patients with skin infections or unplanned reoperations were excluded. We randomized 100 patients into two groups using a computer-generated random allocation: those receiving 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in water and that receiving povidone iodine solution on their incision sites.

Results: We used Stat a version 13.0 and the Fisher’s exact test to compare the differences between the two groups, and we found that the two antiseptic solutions gave similar results (P= 0.617). No surgical site infection cases were seen in this study.

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in water can be used safely to prepare the skin before surgery.