Comparative Efficacy of Two Surgical Hand Antiseptic Products

Introduction: Alcohol-based antiseptics are commonly applied to the skin in preparation for surgery. Avagard and Sterillium are two products commonly used in veterinary medicine, however, a comparative antiseptic study using the gold standard glove juice method to assess for reduction in bacterial colony-forming units has not been performed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two alcohol-based hand preparations in reducing bacterial colony count using the glove juice method.

Materials and Methods: Preliminary colony forming units (CFU) were obtained from both the right and left hands of eight participants via glove juice sampling from sterile gloves. Participants washed their hands with a neutral soap before the application of any antiseptics. Avagard was applied to the right hand and Sterillium was applied to the left hand by sterile assistants according to manufacturer guidelines. Glove juice samples were taken immediately after post-application and 1 hour post postapplication. Samples were cultured, and the reduction of CFU was compared between antiseptics and time points. p < 0.05 was used for significance.

Results: Both Sterillium (p = 0.011) and Avagard (p < 0.001) showed a reduction in CFU from immediate postapplication versus preapplication. For Avagard (p < 0.001), there was a sustained reduction in CFU from preapplication to 1-hour postapplication.

Discussion/Conclusion: Both Sterillium and Avagard were efficacious hand antiseptics when used for surgical hand preparation. At the 1-hour time point, Avagard continued to show decreased CFU while hands prepared with Sterillium returned to bacterial counts measured prior to hand washing.

Acknowledgment

None.

 

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Publication History

Article published online:
15 July 2025