Comparison of effectiveness of skin antiseptics using conventional application with forceps and gauze swabs, single-use applicator, or by wetting skin with a low or high density of sebaceous glands

According to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation)-based classification of evidence, the results presented here are of "high evidence". Thus, for preoperative skin antisepsis, P/CHG is to be used instead of alcohol-based formulations lacking CHG, due to the sustained efficacy of CHG. As the efficacy of applying the antiseptic with forceps and gauze swab or with single-use applicator does not differ on skin with few or many sebaceous glands, the single-use applicator should be preferred due to the guaranteed standardization of application, the time savings compared to the conventional method, and more favorable economic and ecological sustainability.