Surgical site infections common after gynaecological laparoscopy
GPs and patients should be aware of the unexpectedly high infection rate, say Melbourne researchers
Surgical site infections are seen in almost one in six women who undergo gynaecological laparoscopy, according to research carried out in Victoria.
Infections were more common than expected, and no skin preparation solution provided an advantage in reducing rates, the study showed.
The researchers followed 661 women who underwent an elective laparoscopy for treatment of non-malignant gynaecological disorders at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne.
The patients were randomised to have their skin cleaned before surgery with alcohol-based chlorhexidine, alcohol-based povidone-iodine, or water-based povidone-iodine.
