Chlorhexidine-alcohol versus povidone-iodine for skin preparation before elective cesarean section: a prospective observational study.

The ideal antiseptic agent for skin preparation before elective cesarean section (CS) is not yet determined. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of skin preparation by chlorhexidine-alcohol compared with povidone-iodine before elective CS on the rate of surgical site infection (SSI). This prospective observational study included a total of 1424 pregnant women at term who were candidates for the elective CS and were divided into two equal groups of 712 patients in each, group 1 (chlorhexidine-alcohol group) and group 2 (povidone-iodine group).