Findings

What do systematic reviews say?

3 questions · 3 findings · 2 reviews · Headline outcomes only

No studies found 0 · 0%GRADE not reported 0 · 0%Very low 1 · 33.3%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 1 · 33.3%High 1 · 33.3%

Surgical site infection · surgical patients

It is very uncertain whether chlorhexidine 4% changes surgical site infection compared with bar soap (very low certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Preoperative bathing or showering with skin antiseptics to prevent surgical site infection 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
RR 1.02 [0.57, 1.84]
3 studies · 1443 participants
Very low

Surgical site infection · women undergoing caesarean section

Chlorhexidine gluconate probably leads to lower surgical site infection compared with povidone iodine (moderate certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Skin preparation for preventing infection following caesarean section 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
RR 0.72 [0.58, 0.91]
8 studies · 4323 participants
Moderate

Surgical site infection · surgical patients

Preoperative showering with chlorhexidine 4% showed no clear difference in surgical site infection compared with placebo (high certainty).

1 finding from 1 review

Preoperative bathing or showering with skin antiseptics to prevent surgical site infection 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
RR 0.91 [0.8, 1.04]
4 studies · 7791 participants
High