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An Assessment of Skin Preparation in Upper Limb Surgery

From the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland

Correspondence: Mr Paul Sullivan, Research Fellow, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland. Tel.:+353 879440507; fax: +353 91544915. E-mail: sullivanpaul{at}yahoo.com.

Postoperative wound infections remain a major source of upper limb morbidity. The effectiveness of peri-operative human upper limb preparation was determined using a clear fluid antiseptic and an iodine-based solution over 60 and 90 seconds. Less area was missed using iodine over both times and increasing clear solution preparation time from 60 to 90 seconds improved coverage. Surgical experience had little outcome relevance and a 90-second preparation time with either solution was insufficient, with fingers being the sites most commonly missed.

Key Words: hand • preparation • surgery • disinfect • scrub • sterile

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), Vol. 33, No. 4, 513-514 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1753193408090766


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