Infographic by Dr. Cecilia Gigena
"A randomised control trial using soap in the prevention of surgical site infection in Tanzania"
Authors: Godfrey Sama Philipo, Zaitun Mohamed Bokhary, Neema Lala Bayyo, Soham Bandyopadhyay, Miriam Gerd Pueschel, Rajabu Athumani Bakari, Kokila Lakhoo
Full article: https://www.jpedsurg.org/article/S0022-3468(22)00701-1/fulltext
Abstract
Background
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common and serious complications of surgery. Guidelines on preventing SSIs have been developed, but the role of preoperative bathing with plain soap among paediatric population is unclear. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of pre-operative bathing using plain soap in preventing SSIs among paediatric surgical patients.
Materials and Methods
An open-label, randomised trial was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. Preoperatively, patients in the intervention group washed their body using plain soap, while those in the control group did not. The primary outcome was SSI postoperatively. Statistical tests included χ2, Wilcoxon rank sum, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression.
Results
Of the 252 patients recruited,114 were randomised to the intervention arm. In the control arm, 40.6% (56/138) of participants developed SSIs compared to 11.4% (13/114) in the intervention arm (p < 0.01). After adjusting for confounding factors in multivariable analysis, the intervention reduced the odds of an SSI by 80% (OR: 0.20 [95% CI: 0.10, 0.41]; p < 0.01). Preoperative antibiotics were deemed to be an effect modifier of the association between the intervention and SSI (p = 0.05). The intervention significantly reduced the odds of an SSI by 88% among participants not given preoperative antibiotics (OR: 0.12 [95% CI: 0.05, 0.30]; p < 0.01).
Conclusion
This study has shown that preoperative bathing with soap significantly reduces SSIs in paediatric surgical patients. It is a simple, cost effective and sustainable intervention.
