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Gant et al: Influence of skin preparation on surgical site infection and lift of adhesive surgical drapes
Veterinary Surgery 3, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • No statistically significant difference in overall SSI rates: 9.2% (chlorhexidine) vs. 7.38% (iodophor) (p = .25).
  • Significant drape lift occurred in 13.2% of cases; those with lift had 2.72× increased risk of SSI (p = .026).
  • Increased body weight was a statistically significant risk factor for SSI (p = .008): each 1 kg increased SSI risk by 3%.
  • Use of glutaraldehyde was associated with a 2.38× increased risk of SSI (p = .055, approaching significance).
  • No difference in SSI rates based on surgeon training level or surgical classification (clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated).

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← Articles

Gant et al: Influence of skin preparation on surgical site infection and lift of adhesive surgical drapes
Veterinary Surgery 3, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • No statistically significant difference in overall SSI rates: 9.2% (chlorhexidine) vs. 7.38% (iodophor) (p = .25).
  • Significant drape lift occurred in 13.2% of cases; those with lift had 2.72× increased risk of SSI (p = .026).
  • Increased body weight was a statistically significant risk factor for SSI (p = .008): each 1 kg increased SSI risk by 3%.
  • Use of glutaraldehyde was associated with a 2.38× increased risk of SSI (p = .055, approaching significance).
  • No difference in SSI rates based on surgeon training level or surgical classification (clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated).

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Gant 2025 et al., on skin prep and SSI, which two combinations were compared for their impact on SSI?

A. 0.5% chlorhexidine & 60% isopropyl alcohol vs 2% iodine tincture
B. 1% povidone-iodine vs 2% chlorhexidine
C. 2% chlorhexidine & 70% isopropyl alcohol vs 0.7% iodophor & 74% isopropyl alcohol
D. 0.7% iodophor & 60% ethanol vs 2% chlorhexidine & 70% isopropyl alcohol
E. 1% chlorhexidine vs 2% iodophor

Answer: 2% chlorhexidine & 70% isopropyl alcohol vs 0.7% iodophor & 74% isopropyl alcohol

Explanation: These two combinations were the basis of comparison in the retrospective and prospective parts of the study.
In Gant 2025 et al., on skin prep and SSI, which finding was reported?

A. Clean surgeries had significantly higher SSI risk
B. Clean-contaminated surgeries showed no infections
C. Surgical classification had no effect on SSI rate
D. Surgical classification significantly altered SSI rates
E. Surgical classification was only significant for contaminated surgeries

Answer: Surgical classification had no effect on SSI rate

Explanation: No significant difference in SSI was found across clean, clean-contaminated, and contaminated categories (p > .25).
In Gant 2025 et al., on skin prep and SSI, what was the association between patient weight and SSI development?

A. Body weight had no effect on SSI risk
B. Each 1 kg increase in weight reduced SSI risk by 5%
C. Heavier patients had a 10-fold increased risk
D. Each 1 kg increase in weight increased SSI risk by 3%
E. Patients over 10 kg had no infections

Answer: Each 1 kg increase in weight increased SSI risk by 3%

Explanation: Statistical analysis showed a 3% increase in SSI risk per 1 kg body weight (p = .008).
In Gant 2025 et al., on skin prep and SSI, which method was associated with increased SSI risk?

A. Steam sterilization
B. Autoclaving with ethylene oxide
C. Plasma sterilization
D. Glutaraldehyde sterilization
E. Formaldehyde gas sterilization

Answer: Glutaraldehyde sterilization

Explanation: Glutaraldehyde use was associated with a 2.38× increased risk of SSI (p = .055).
In Gant 2025 et al., on skin prep and SSI, what was associated with a significantly increased risk of surgical site infection?

A. Use of povidone-iodine for surgeon hand prep
B. Intraoperative warming devices
C. Significant lift of iodophor-impregnated incise drape
D. Use of nylon sutures for skin closure
E. Preoperative fasting for over 12 hours

Answer: Significant lift of iodophor-impregnated incise drape

Explanation: Lift >10 mm of the iodophor-impregnated incise drape was significantly associated with a higher SSI risk (p = .026).

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