“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Pre- and post-operative skin cleansing is an essential measure to reduce the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs). The aim of skin cleansing before surgery is to remove transient and resident microorganisms from the skin surface, while the purpose of skin cleansing after surgery is to prevent the growth of residual microorganisms on the skin and minimize the risk of SSIs.
The use of an antiseptic solution, such as chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine, is recommended for pre-operative skin cleansing. The antiseptic solution should be applied to the surgical site and the surrounding area, using a clean cloth or sponge, for a specified amount of time before the surgery, as directed by the healthcare provider.
For post-operative skin cleansing, the timing and frequency of cleansing will depend on the type of surgery and the presence of any wound dressings. It is usually recommended to cleanse the skin around the wound with an antiseptic solution and sterile gauze, as directed by the healthcare provider.
It is important to follow the healthcare provider's instructions for skin cleansing before and after surgery to minimize the risk of SSIs.