Prevention of bacterial colonization of wounds at operation: comparison of iodine-impregnated ('Ioban') drapes with conventional methods.

Forty-five patients undergoing clean elective inguinal surgery were randomly allocated to receive one of three skin preparations, (1) alcoholic povidone-iodine ('Betadine') alone, (2) the same covered with an incise drape ('Steri-Drape'), or (3) an iodine-containing incise drape ('Ioban') alone. The first two preparations were superior in reducing bacterial colony counts measured on skin with cotton swabs and impression cultures. There were no clinical postoperative wound infections in any group but it is suggested that although the use of an iodine-containing incise drape alone is attractive, its bactericidal action is inferior to conventional preparations.