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Chlorhexidine cloths may reduce cutaneous bacteria better than preoperative soap wash
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SAN DIEGO — Investigators found that patients who used cloths impregnated with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate reduced more bacteria on their shoulders than those who took regular preoperative showers.
Michael R. Murray, MD, of Chicago, and colleagues concluded that, with regular use, the impregnated clothes may play a role in reducing infection rates associated with various types of shoulder surgery. Murray presented the findings at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
The prospective study compared the type and quantity of bacteria isolated in the preoperative holding area of 100 patients randomized to either clean their shoulders, arms and axilla preoperatively with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate cloths (Sage Products Inc.) or take a regular shower the morning of surgery.
“If you take all organisms together, there were reductions from 94% down to 66% in the cloth [group],” Murray said. He noted that the investigators isolated multiple types of organisms the groups, including coagulase negative Staphylococcus and Propionibacterium acnes. However, there were fewer colonies of both bacteria and lower culture rates in the chlorhexidine group vs. the control group.
The investigators followed all the patients for at least 2 months postoperatively to monitor for signs of infection.
Although more men than women were in the chlorhexidine group, and men are known to have a higher incidence of shoulder P. acnes than women, “there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups,” Murray said.
“Given these data, overall, we do feel that the home use of chlorhexidine cloths prior to shoulder surgery may be a useful adjunct for decreasing bacterial infections.”
Reference:
- Murray MR, Saltzman M, Gryzlo S, et al. Efficacy of pre-operative home use of 2% chlorhexidine cloth prior to shoulder surgery. Paper #680. Presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Feb. 15-19, 2011. San Diego.
Disclosure: Sage Products Inc. provided a grant for the study. Murphy has no relevant disclosures.
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