Effect of preoperative skin preparation methods on sternotomy surgical site infection rates: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A surgical site infection (SSI) reduces patient quality of life, increases morbidity and mortality rates, and increases health care costs. Results of studies comparing the effects of preoperative skin preparations are contradictory. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of different preoperative skin preparation methods on the rate of SSIs in patients undergoing sternotomy. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 96 male patients undergoing sternotomy. The control group (CG) (n = 34) received routine care consisting of shaving body hair with a razor blade followed by instructions to take a bath or shower. In the intervention groups, patients received education about SSI prevention and body hair was removed with an electric clipper, followed by bathing with daphne soap containing olive oil (IG-1) (n = 31) or 2% chlorhexidine solution (IG-2) (n = 31). Patient demographic, medical history, surgical, and wound assessment variables were obtained. Potential SSI signs and symptoms were assessed for up to 90 days following surgery. RESULTS: Patient demographic, medical history, and surgical variables did not differ among the 3 groups. Sternal SSI occurred in 10.4% of all study patients; 8.8% of the CG patients, 12.9% of the IG-1 patients, and 9.7% of the IG-2 patients developed an SSI (P > .05). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the rate of sternotomy SSI among the 3 groups. Randomized controlled trials with large samples are needed to compare these methods to determine optimal and affordable preoperative skin preparation methods.