Chlorhexidine prevents surgical site infection in craniocerebral operations

Objective To investigate the effect of chlorhexidine gluconate in prevention of surgical site infection (SSI). Methods Randomized controlled clinical trial method was used in the study. Comparison was made in the rates of SSI between the experiment group using 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and the control group. Results The rate of SSI in experiment group was significantly lower than that in control group (0.83% vs. 5.83%, χ²=3.23,P=0.035). Differences of hospital stay, total cost, infection in other sites and mortality rate of SSI were not statistically significant between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Preoperative head disinfection by chlorhexidine gluconate has remarkable effect in prevention of cerebral surgical site infection.