Chlorhexidine Gluconate for Perioperative Skin Cleansing to Reduce Surgical Site Infection and Bacterial Colonization: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: This study aimed to define the role of chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) in preoperatively skin cleansing and surgical site infection (SSI) and bacterial colonization reduction. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a public hospital on 120 patients, of whom 61 consisted the intervention group and 59 in the control group. The intervention group used bath gel that contains CG and the control group used bath gels/soap without any antiseptics. Using a swab, samples from the surgical site were taken from all patients before and after bath. Surgical sites were inspected in terms of redness, edema, or fluid drainage daily during their hospital stay, as well as at the 10th and 30th days after discharge. Fever, heart rate, and blood pressure were also followed closely. This data was recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: Infection was detected in 3.3% (n=120) of participants. In the control group, 6.8% were infected. Infection was not observed in the intervention group. Five bacteria were analyzed in terms of the effect of CG use on bacterial colonization and it was found that only Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CNS) growth was decreased with the use of CG. This decrease was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results suggest that cleansing the skin with CG before thoracic surgery may be beneficial in preventing SSI and reducing CNS colonization.