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Chlorhexidine Prep for Lower Extremity Mohs Surgery - Infection Rate Analysis

Niklinska EB, Hicks A, Wheless L, et al.
Dermatologic Surgery (2021)

JC: August 2024

This study evaluated the impact of chlorhexidine surgical skin preparation on infection rates in lower extremity Mohs surgery, a location known for higher SSI risk. The findings informed antiseptic selection for surgical prep in this challenging anatomic location.

Take-Home Messages

  • •Chlorhexidine skin preparation may reduce surgical site infection rates in lower extremity Mohs surgery.
  • •Antiseptic prep selection for lower extremity surgery should consider the higher baseline infection risk of this anatomic location.
PubMed →DOI →

Topic

Perioperative Safety

Infection prevention, antibiotics, surgical safety protocols

Abstract

Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common complication for Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Lower extremity surgical sites are at an increased risk for developing SSI. This study aimed to evaluate lower extremity SSI rates post-MMS based on closure type and antibiotic usage. A retrospective review was performed of all lower extremity MMS cases from 2011 to 2016 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Patient history, surgical details, and follow-up appointments were reviewed. Six hund...

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Literature review only. This summary is an editorial interpretation and may not reflect the complete findings of the original publication. Always refer to the full-text article for clinical decision-making.