The Use of Low-Dose Chlorhexidine Gluconate Irrigation in Preventing Intraoperative Contamination in Tissue Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction

This was a pilot study comparing intraoperative culture results and postoperative infections between breasts treated with an additional low-dose CHG wash and those that did not during immediate TE-based breast reconstruction. This study provided evidence that low-dose CHG can reduce intraoperative contamination, offering objective data and insights into a potential new option to maintain, or even improve, sterility in the operating room during breast reconstruction. Although clinical infection rates remained similar between the two groups, longer follow-up time and larger sample size will provide further understanding of the role of low-dose CHG in preventing infection as well as capsular contracture.