AbstractIntroduction: Despite many advances in the surgical techniques in the past few years, post–operative wound sepsis still remains a major problem. Although only occasionally a cause of mortality, it is a frequent cause of increased morbidity leading to prolonged hospitalization of the patient. Wound infections occur in approximately 5% of patients undergoing major abdomina^l surgery. Aims and Objectives: To Study of Surgical Wound Infection Grade during Follow up Period in the Patients who Received Preoperative Skin Preparation with Aqueous Povidone Iodine Only Versus in Combination with Alcoholic Chlorhexidine Methodology: This was a comparative study conducted on 100 patients in two groups. Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry at Department of General Surgery. 100 Patients (50 in each Group) undergoing clean elective surgery with no focus of infection on the body admitted in the department of General Surgery in Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry from 1st October 2013 to 31st August 2015The data collected in the present study is analyzed statistically by computing the descriptive statistics viz., Mean, SD, and percentages. The data is presented in the form of tables and graphs. The difference in mean is tested using z-test and the measures of association between the qualitative variables are assessed using chi-square test. Result: In our study we have observed that that the proportion of cases infected in Group I was 5 whereas in case of Group II was 1 and this difference in the proportion of wound infection rate between the two groups is found to be statistically significant (z=4.16; p<0.04). Out of 5 cases with growth in group I, only 3 had wound infection and the other 2 were ward acquired. Similarly the only infection in group II was ward acquired , has revealed that the proportion of infected cases after excluding the ward infection in Group I was 3 whereas in case of Group II it was none and this difference in the proportion of infected cases between the two groups is found to be statistically significant. Difference in efficacy between two antiseptic regimen, thereby making regimen in Group II much more clinically and statistically useful in reducing colonization of operative site and also in reducing postoperative wound infections. Conclusion: It can be safely concluded that this regimen should be followed in preoperative skin preparation in clean elective surgeries. Since the superiority of this regimen was proved in decreasing incision site colonization and postoperative wound infection, it is prudent to use this regimen in contaminated and emergency surgeries.

Keywords: Surgical Wound Infection Grade, Preoperative Skin Preparation, Aqueous Povidone Iodine, Alcoholic Chlorhexidine.