Detrimental Effects of Chlorhexidine on Articular Cartilage Viability, Matrix, and Mechanics.

Background: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) solution is commonly used as an antiseptic irrigation for bacterial decontamination during orthopaedic surgery. Although the chondrotoxicity of CHG on articular cartilage has been reported, the full extent of CHG-related chondrotoxicity and its effects on the extracellular matrix and mechanical properties are unknown.

Purpose: To investigate the in vitro effects of a single 1-minute CHG exposure on the viability, biochemical content, and mechanics of native articular cartilage explants.