Eight wound preparative agents (one triclosan compound, one
hexachlorophene compound, and six iodophors) were evaluated under actual
operating-room conditions for efficacy in de-germing the operative site
prior to the performance of 310 total hip arthroplasties. All of the
preparations tested achieved a significant reduction (p less than or equal
to 0.001) of indigenous skin microflora compared with the pre-scrub level
in both the post-scrub and the postoperative cultures. Two iodophors, when
applied as sprays, demonstrated excellent bactericidal action, were less
time-consuming and easier to use than the compounds that were applied as
scrubs, and did not alter the low (0.42 per cent) infection rate that we
have recorded over a period of four years.