Povidone Iodine vs Chlorhexidine Gluconate for Preoperative Skin Antisepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) remains a challenge in healthcare, contributing to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and adverse patient outcomes, including mortality. Effective preoperative skin disinfection interventions, such as povidone-iodine (PVI) and chlorhexidine (CHG), are widely used but their efficacy remains debated. To address this gap, this meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of PVI and CHG.