Prevention of infection at the operative site: irrigation with iodine derivatives, or NaCl. A prospective and randomized study in general surgery
Oestreicher, M.; Tschantz, P.
Helvetica Chirurgica Acta 56(1-2): 133-137
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0018-0181 PMID: 2777592 Document Number: 329732
A prospective randomized study was undertaken among 540 patients submitted to a surgical operation. The operative site and the wall before skin closure have been washed either with saline or with Betadine-R solution. Bacteriological samples were taken before irrigation. The contamination rate reached 60% in visceral surgery, 30% in bone surgery. Postoperative wound sepsis nearly reached 6%. There was no difference between the NaCl and Betadine groups.