Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
09:35
Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
Published on: May 10, 2017
19.8K
A Randomized Trial Comparing Skin Antiseptic Agents at Cesarean Delivery
Methodius G Tuuli1, Jingxia Liu, Molly J Stout
1From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (M.G.T., M.J.S., S.M., A.G.C., G.A.M.) and the Division of Public Health Sciences (J.L., G.A.C.), Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis; and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida, Tampa (A.O.O.).
The New England Journal of Medicine
|February 5, 2016
Summary
Chlorhexidine-alcohol significantly reduced surgical-site infections after cesarean delivery compared to iodine-alcohol. This study provides evidence for improved preoperative skin antisepsis in obstetric procedures.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Surgical Safety
Background:
- Surgical-site infection (SSI) is a risk in cesarean delivery, the most common U.S. surgery for women.
- Limited evidence exists to guide antiseptic choice for cesarean skin preparation.
- Effective preoperative skin antisepsis is crucial for reducing SSI risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of chlorhexidine-alcohol versus iodine-alcohol for preoperative skin antisepsis.
- To determine if chlorhexidine-alcohol is superior to iodine-alcohol in preventing SSIs after cesarean delivery.
Main Methods:
- Single-center, randomized controlled trial involving 1147 patients undergoing cesarean delivery.
- Patients were assigned to skin preparation with either chlorhexidine-alcohol or iodine-alcohol.
- Primary outcome: superficial or deep SSI within 30 days, defined by CDC criteria.
Main Results:
- Surgical-site infection occurred in 4.0% of the chlorhexidine-alcohol group vs. 7.3% of the iodine-alcohol group (RR 0.55, P=0.02).
- Lower rates of superficial and deep SSIs were observed with chlorhexidine-alcohol, though not all differences reached statistical significance.
- Adverse skin reactions were comparable between the two antiseptic groups.
Conclusions:
- Chlorhexidine-alcohol use for preoperative skin antisepsis significantly lowered the risk of surgical-site infection following cesarean delivery.
- Results support the use of chlorhexidine-alcohol over iodine-alcohol for cesarean delivery skin preparation.
- This finding has implications for improving surgical safety in obstetric procedures.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Hand hygiene
Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...
Hand washing...
01:27The Skin Microbiota
The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:27Acne Infection
Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...