Preoperative skin preparation is an evidence-based infection control strategy in general surgery designed to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs), including abdominal procedures. By applying antiseptic agents to the skin before surgery, bacterial colonization at the incision site is significantly lowered, decreasing the risk of contamination during the operation. This method targets common skin flora, including gram-positive organisms, and provides residual antimicrobial activity through strong binding to the skin’s outer layer.
As a low-cost, non-invasive measure that can be administered at home or in pre-op settings, it is widely endorsed in surgical safety protocols and quality improvement initiatives. Here is a quick question about preventing surgical site infections in abdominal surgery! References: JAMA Surgery, American Journal of Infectious Control, Journal of Infection…
