Bathing with antibacterial soap significantly decreases the incidence of infection in surgical patients. This conclusion was given by Dr Hamid Manzoor, of Sindh Government Qatar Hospital, Karachi, in the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) 26th Medical Conference held in Quetta a few days ago. The study demonstrated that poor hygiene is the leading cause of post-operative infection among cesarean section and gynaecological surgery patients.
This is more so in government hospitals and low income patient groups. Treatment by antibiotics is costly, but the need to treat infections which occur frequently after routine surgery is imperative. "We were looking for an affordable method to prevent such infections," Dr Hamid said.
For this study, he said, patients were enrolled starting from end of 2002. These were patients coming for cesarean sections and elective gynaecological surgery. Two groups were formed: one which would bathe before and after surgery with an antibacterial soap containing Triclocarban; and the other group which would not bathe as per normal practice. Target number was 100 patients per group.
In the bath group, skin swabs were taken before surgery (before and after bathing) and after surgery on Day 3. The swabs were assessed for microbial growth. In the non-bath group, skin swabs were taken before surgery and after surgery on Day 3. Wound inspection was done daily for all patients.
In the 'bath group' comprising 117 patients, only 8 patients had growth in the post-operative swabs with oozing serious discharge at wound site.
Bathing with antibacterial soap significantly decreased the incidence of infection in surgical patients. Part of this can he attributed to the residual effect of Triclocarban (active ingredient in the soap). Use of antibacterial soap preoperatively is an affordable way to prevent incidence of post-operative infections.
The study was funded by 'Safeguard'. This Biennial Medical Conference was attended by over 600 doctors, medical students and allied health professionals keen on being updated on the latest situation in the Pakistan medical sector.-PR
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