Intraoperative Wound Irrigation for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection After Laparotomy. A randomized clinical trial by CHIR-Net.
Mueller C, Kehl V, Dimpel R, Blankenstein C, Egert-Schwender SE, Strudthoff J, Lock JF et al, for the IOWISI Study Group.
JAMA Surg. 2024;159: 484-492.
This three armed RCT included 689 patients randomized to saline, polyhexanide or no wound irrigation. Respective wound infection rates were 12.5, 10.6 and 12.8 per cent. Compared to controls, polyhexanide did not reduce infection rates: hazard rate 1.23, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.64 to 2.36.
Comment: Wound irrigation remains controversial, and unproven.
16 August 2024
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