CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE VERSUS CHLOROXYLENOL FOR PREOPERATIVE SKIN PREPARATION IN DOGS

The efficacy of 3% chloroxylenol (PCMX) or 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) for preoperative skin preparation was assessed in 100 dogs underg oing clean or clean-contaminated surgical procedures. Replication Orga nism Detection and Counting (RODAC) plates were used to quantify skin bacteria colony forming units (CFU) at the operative site before and a fter skin preparation and immediately postoperatively. Reduction of CF U after skill preparation and immediately postoperatively was signific ant for each agent. However, CFU levels were significantly lower in th e CG group than in the PCMX group after surgical preparation, regardle ss of initial CFU numbers. No significant difference in CFU counts was observed between antiseptic groups postoperatively. Within-group comp arisons showed PCMX to be significantly less efficacious when the pres crub CFU number was greater than 1,000. Bacterial reduction was simila r in the CG group regardless of prescrub CFU levels. The number of neg ative cultures after skin preparation was significantly greater with C G than with PCMX. Chlorhexidine gluconate also had fewer cultures with heavy bacterial growth (>5 CFUs) after surgical preparation. There wa s no significant difference between antiseptics in the number of negat ive cultures or cultures with more than 5 CFUs immediately after surge ry. The number of skin reactions and postoperative wound infections th at occurred with each technique were similar. Three percent PCMX, as u sed in this study, was less effective than 4% CG in its immediate anti microbial activity, however, this difference was not associated with a n increased wound infection rate. (C) Copyright 1996 by The American C ollege of Veterinary Surgeons