Volume 82, Issue 12 (March 2025)
Tehran Univ Med J 2025, 82(12): 932-938 |
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Rahimi Darehbagh R, Khajeh E, Roshani D, Safarnejhad F. Effect of preoperative antiseptic showering to prevent surgical site infection in patients who went under elective inguinal hernia surgery. Tehran Univ Med J 2025; 82 (12) :932-938
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-13452-en.html
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-13452-en.html
1- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.| Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
2- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
3- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
2- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
3- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
Abstract: (1129 Views)
Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent one of the most common and significant complications following surgical interventions. These infections not only prolong hospital stay and recovery but also impose a considerable economic burden on healthcare systems and patients. Reducing the risk of SSIs is therefore a major focus of perioperative care, and several strategies have been proposed to minimize their occurrence. One of the most widely practiced preventive measures is preoperative skin antisepsis, aimed at lowering the microbial load at the surgical site. Among available antiseptics, chlorhexidine has been shown to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and sustained effectiveness. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of preoperative chlorhexidine showers on the incidence of SSIs in patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia surgery.
Methods: A randomized clinical trial was carried out in 2019 at Kowsar Hospital, Sanandaj. A total of 300 patients scheduled for elective inguinal hernia repair were enrolled and randomly assigned into three groups of 100 participants each. The intervention group was instructed to take a shower with 4% chlorhexidine solution on the night before surgery. Control group 1 took a routine bath using regular detergents, while control group 2 did not bathe prior to the operation. All patients were monitored for the occurrence of superficial SSIs for up to 30 days postoperatively.
Results: Among the 300 patients included in the study, 12 cases (4%) of superficial SSIs were documented. The distribution of infections varied significantly across the groups: one case in the chlorhexidine group, three cases in the regular detergent group, and eight cases in the group that did not shower. Statistical analysis confirmed that the difference in infection rates among the groups was significant (P=0.034).
Conclusion: The findings of this clinical trial demonstrate that preoperative showers with 4% chlorhexidine solution are effective in reducing the incidence of SSIs in patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia surgery. Implementing this simple, low-cost intervention may therefore be a valuable strategy in routine surgical practice to enhance patient outcomes and reduce postoperative complications.
Methods: A randomized clinical trial was carried out in 2019 at Kowsar Hospital, Sanandaj. A total of 300 patients scheduled for elective inguinal hernia repair were enrolled and randomly assigned into three groups of 100 participants each. The intervention group was instructed to take a shower with 4% chlorhexidine solution on the night before surgery. Control group 1 took a routine bath using regular detergents, while control group 2 did not bathe prior to the operation. All patients were monitored for the occurrence of superficial SSIs for up to 30 days postoperatively.
Results: Among the 300 patients included in the study, 12 cases (4%) of superficial SSIs were documented. The distribution of infections varied significantly across the groups: one case in the chlorhexidine group, three cases in the regular detergent group, and eight cases in the group that did not shower. Statistical analysis confirmed that the difference in infection rates among the groups was significant (P=0.034).
Conclusion: The findings of this clinical trial demonstrate that preoperative showers with 4% chlorhexidine solution are effective in reducing the incidence of SSIs in patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia surgery. Implementing this simple, low-cost intervention may therefore be a valuable strategy in routine surgical practice to enhance patient outcomes and reduce postoperative complications.
Type of Study: Original Article |
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