Two studies showed the same results this week, better infection prevention prior to surgery means less infection after surgery.
Two different methods were used, one study used an antiseptic administered nasally and the other required bathing patients with an antiseptic solution. Both methods were effective, and the antiseptic bath proved more effective than the skin prep agent that has been used in many hospital for decades.
For high risk cases, people who are at a high risk of having an infection after surgery, combining both methods may be the best way to protect the patient.
One of the doctors involved in the study made an important point, noting that infections aren't necessarily caused by outside germs, but are often caused by the germs that live on the skin. These germs are normal and typically cause no issues, but can cause infection when they are in a surgical incision. These germs that live on the skin, called normal flora, are removed with the antiseptic bath and once removed, cannot move into the incision.
If you are concerned about infection after surgery, be sure to discuss with your surgeon the methods that they employ to prevent infection after surgery.
Identifying signs and symptoms of infection after surgery
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