Antiseptics’ proper use in different surgical sites is critical in preventing postoperative infections. The incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) ranges from 1-5% in clean surgeries, and this percentage might hike up to 20-40% in contaminated surgeries. An effective infection control mechanism necessitates an appropriate selection and application of antiseptics as one of the most pertinent preventive measures.
Commonly used clinical antiseptics include alcohol-based solutions, chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, among others. However, despite their widespread use, a unified protocol to guide antiseptics’ application across various surgical sites is yet to be established. A review of both foreign and local literature helps identify the best available recommendations based on formidable evidence for clinical usage.
The PIPOST framework, incorporating six essential factors – patients undergoing surgical procedures, antiseptics’ selection and application, operating room healthcare teams, surgical site infection rates, hospitals’ operating theaters, and type of evidence – was used to structure the clinical question guiding the literature search. The search unearthed 30 articles and, after careful evaluation, they provided 36 pieces of evidence integrated into five key areas including general principles, antiseptics recommended for distinct surgical sites, application methods, handling of exceptional conditions, and quality control.
It is important to note that each surgical site has unique anatomical structures and physiological traits that call for diverse antiseptics and protocols for their application. As such, the study admittedly confirms the need for a tailored approach to disinfection, aspects such as type of surgery, surgical site characteristics, and patient’s individual condition need to be taken into account. On another hand, education, regular training, and continuous assessments for healthcare practitioners are paramount in guaranteeing a high level of competence and upkeeping disinfection quality.
The study also encourages the development of a robust quality control system in the quest to assure effective disinfection. Key elements of this system include a scientific SSI surveillance system, antiseptic use standardization, assessment regularity of disinfection outcomes, and establishing a swift response mechanism for reporting and managing adverse reactions.
Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1630272/xml