3 Feb 2024 • Studies evaluating surgical-site infection have had conflicting results with respect to the use of alcohol solutions containing iodine povacrylex or chlorhexidine gluconate as skin antisepsis before surgery to repair a fractured limb (i.e., an extremity fracture).

In closed fractures, skin antisepsis with 0.7% iodine povacrylex in 74% isopropyl alcohol resulted in significantly fewer surgical-site infections (2.4%) compared to 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol (3.3%).

However, both solutions demonstrated comparable outcomes in open-fracture cases, highlighting the potential superiority of the iodine group in closed extremity fractures.

Source: NEJM | Read full story