SURGICAL HAND DISINFECTION - COMPARISON OF 4-PERCENT CHLORHEXIDINE DETERGENT SOLUTION AND 2-PERCENT TRICLOSAN DETERGENT SOLUTION

The effect of 4% chlorhexidine detergent and 2% triclosan detergent on the resident flora of the hands was compared on 20 healthy volunteers. The initial and prolonged effects of the agents were assessed by a modification of the Peterson glove rinse test after multiple hand washes. Chlorhexidine detergent was significantly more effective than triclosan detergent (p < 0.001) which in turn was more effective than non-medicated soap (p < 0.001) for both initial and prolonged effect. Chlorhexidine, but not triclosan, showed a significantly greater prolonged effect than initial effect (p < 0.01). Five volunteers (25%) experienced skin irritation with triclosan; no side effects were experienced with chlorhexidine. © 1990.