Evaluation of Chlorhexidine Concentration on the Skin After Preoperative Surgical Site Preparation in Breast Surgery-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Although there is a rationale supporting that preoperative showering with 2% or 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) would decrease skin bacterial colonization, there is no consensus that this practice reduces the risk of surgical site infection (SSI).

Objectives: Analyze the skin concentration of CHG after preoperative showering associated with the traditional skin preparation with CHG 4% for breast surgery.

Methods: Randomized controlled trial that included 45 patients, all candidates for augmentation mammaplasty, allocated into three groups (A: no preoperative showering; B: one preoperative showering; C: two preoperative showering with CHG 4%) in a 1:1:1 ratio.