A Comparative Study of Chlorhexidine–Alcohol versus Povidone–Iodine for Prevention of Surgical Site

Infection in Clean-Contaminated Surgeries

Submission: 20 October 2025 | Acceptance: 29 November 2025 | Publication: 27 December 2025

1

Ali Raza, 2Kiran Hassan, 3Huma Sohail, 4Dr Muhammad Abbas, 5Rizwan Shah, 6Hasnat Iqbal

2UHS, Lahore

3 UHS, Lahore

4University College of Medicine and Dentistry, UOL, Lahore

5 UHS, Lahore

6 UHS, Lahore

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the frequency of surgical site infection in chlorhexidine alcohol versus povidone iodine among

patients undergoing clean contaminated surgery.

METHODOLOGY

A randomized controlled trial was conducted at JPMC, Karachi, including 310 patients aged 18–70 years

undergoing clean-contaminated surgeries. Participants were randomly assigned to receive preoperative skin

preparation with either chlorhexidine-alcohol (Group A) or povidone-iodine (Group B). Surgical site infections

were assessed over 30 days postoperatively based on clinical and laboratory criteria. Data were analysed using

SPSS version 26 with a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 33.9 ± 14.4 years. Gender distribution was comparable between groups, with

males comprising 56.1% in the chlorhexidine-alcohol group and 58.1% in the povidone-iodine group. The

incidence of surgical site infections was significantly lower in the chlorhexidine-alcohol group (9.0%) compared

to povidone-iodine (16.8%) (p = 0.042). Subgroup analysis revealed greater efficacy of chlorhexidine-alcohol

among females and patients aged 20–35 years.

CONCLUSION

It is to be concluded that chlorhexidine alcohol is more effective than povidone iodine in preventing surgical

site infections during clean-contaminated surgeries. This highlights its potential as the preferred choice forpreoperative antiseptics to reduce infection risks.

KEYWORDS

Alcohol, Chlorhexidine, Povidone Iodine, Surgical Outcomes, Surgical Site Infection