The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

A meta-analysis of prophylaxis of surgical site infections with topical application of povidone iodine before primary closure. World J Surg 2019; 43: 374–384.

Published: 2nd September 2019

Authors: Lopez-Cano M, Kraft M, Cuerll A, Puig-Asensio M, Balibrea J, Armengol-Carrasco M et al.

Conclusion

In this analysis of 16 RCTs including 7601 procedures, iodine lavage reduced the rate of overall surgical site infection: relative risk 0.64, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.48 to 0.85, P=0.002. It was most effective in elective surgery, but the effect disappeared when RCTs of uncertain quality were excluded.

Pubmed Link