Extract

Objective

Skin disinfection of the genital area prior to implantation of a penile prosthesis is of crucial importance. As a rule the recommendation is to perform “the holy washing”. However, there are no evidence-based data on this type of skin disinfection.

Methods

We performed a prospective comparison of skin disinfection procedures. The aim is to analyze and compare the microbiological skin colonization before and after the respective disinfection procedure. The collective consisted of 3 groups with 30 patients each. Each group underwent a standardized smear test taken from the native skin before disinfection and after the respective procedure. In Group 1 we applied the procedure of the “holy washing” with 5 ml Betaisadona soap over 15 min prior to the actual surgical skin disinfection. In Group 2 we performed skin disinfection solely with tinted Kodan® (alcoholic disinfection). In Group 3 we performed disinfection exclusively with Chlorhexidine. All patients underwent surgery by the same surgeon, we chose a penoscrotal access, and all patients received a Coloplast Titan Touch Prothesis. Only virgin patients with primary implantation were included. The investigation method was granted by the hygiene department of the hospital and the local Ethics Committee.

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