[What is the scientific basis of our surgical beliefs?]

The purpose of the study is to assess the validity of surgical beliefs and their application in the operating room… An exhaustive revue of literature was performed using PubMed and the Cochrane Library. We found over 400 articles, and chose to select the 135 most pertinent ones. Antiseptic hand washing and the use of sterile gloves are the main elements of SSI prevention. In this field, use of hydroalcoholic solutions and chlorhexidine seem to be the more efficient. Regarding the surgical gown, the use of masks and surgical hands contamination. Antiseptic pre-operative shower has no advantage over a simple soap shower. Also depilation has no influence. Regarding the surgery in itself, cutaneous preparation is more efficient with alcoholic antiseptics or with chlorhexidine. After the surgery, no wound dressing has shown to ease the healing when compared to the use of regular water. There are two types of attitudes in surgery: those that have a proven benefit for the patient and/or the surgeon and those based on good intentions or beliefs but that have no scientific ground.