Simple wash before stitches may slash surgery infections

NCT ID NCT04548661

First seen Jan 03, 2026 · Last updated May 12, 2026 · Updated 23 times

Summary

This study tested whether washing a surgical incision with an antiseptic or salt water before closing it can prevent infections after surgery. Over 2,700 adults having abdominal or groin surgery were randomly assigned to get one of these washes or no wash at all. The goal was to see if either wash reduces surgical site infections within 30 days, which could change standard practice worldwide.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Hamilton Health Sciences - Juravinski Hospital

    Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

  • Health Sciences North

    Greater Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 5J1, Canada

  • Kingston Health Sciences Centre

    Kingston, Ontario, Canada

  • London Health Sciences Centre

    London, Ontario, Canada

  • Mackenzie Health

    Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

  • North York General Hospital

    North York, Ontario, M2K 1E1, Canada

  • Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre

    Barrie, Ontario, Canada

  • Shared Health Manitoba

    Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3A 1R9, Canada

  • St. Joseph's Health Centre

    Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • St. Michael's Hospital

    Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

    Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada

  • The Ottawa Hospital

    Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada

  • Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

    Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Conditions

Explore the condition pages connected to this study.