Microbiological evaluation of the hands and forearms of the veterinary surgical team subjected to preoperative antisepsis with hydroalcoholic solution B. Braun® Softalind Pure and antiseptic brushes with chlorhexidine gluconate (2%)

A new antiseptic solution based on ethanol and n-propanol (B. Braun® Softalind Pure) is available on the market, which ensures safe surgical antisepsis in a short period of time and without the need for scrubbing. However, it has not yet been evaluated in comparison with sterile brushes containing 2% chlorhexidine gluconate. The aim of this study was to microbiologically evaluate the hydroalcoholic solution and antiseptic brushes with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate as a technological alternative for the asepsis of the hands and forearms of veterinary surgeons. Twenty-four individuals from the field of Veterinary Medicine were divided into two groups of 12 participants each: one group using the hydroalcoholic solution B. Braun® Softalind Pure, and the other using sterile antiseptic brushes containing 2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution. A sterile swab was used to collect samples from the fingertips, back, and palm of both arms. The samples were then seeded in duplicate on Petri dishes, followed by counting of colony-forming units. Microbiological analysis was performed before antisepsis and 15 minutes after antisepsis. No significant differences were identified in the number of bacterial and fungal colonies between the two surgical antisepsis methods. However, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the number of bacterial and fungal colonies was observed between the pre- and post-antisepsis time points with the use of the hydroalcoholic solution. Both the hydroalcoholic solution and the sterile brush containing 2% chlorhexidine gluconate were effective for surgical antisepsis of the fingertips, back, and palm of both arms of the veterinary surgeon.