General skin and nasal decolonization with octenisan® set before and after elective orthopedic surgery in selected patients at elevated risk for revision surgery and surgical site infections-a single-center, unblinded, superiority, randomized controlled trial (BALGDEC trial).

BACKGROUND

The preoperative body surface and nasal decolonization may reduce the risk of surgical site infections (SSI) but yields conflicting results in the current orthopedic literature.

METHODS

We perform a single-center, randomized-controlled, superiority trial in favor of the preoperative decolonization using a commercial product (octenidine® set). We will randomize a total number of 1000 adult elective orthopedic patients with a high risk for SSI and/or wound complications (age ≥ 80 years, chronic immune-suppression, American Society of Anesthesiologists score 3-4 points) between a decolonization (octenisan® wash lotion 1 × per day and octenisan® md nasal gel 2-3 × per day; during 5 days) and no decolonization. Decolonized patients will additionally fill a questionnaire regarding the practical difficulties, the completeness, and the adverse events of decolonization. The primary outcomes are SSI and revision surgeries for postoperative wound problems until 6 weeks postoperatively (or 1 year for surgeries with implants or bone). Secondary outcomes are unplanned revision surgeries for non-infectious problems and all adverse events. With 95% event-free surgeries in the decolonization arm versus 90% in the control arm, we formally need 2 × 474 elective orthopedic surgeries included during 2 years.

DISCUSSION

In selected adult orthopedic patients with a high risk for SSI, the presurgical decolonization may reduce postoperative wound problems, including SSI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrial.gov NCT05647252. Registered on 9 December 2022.

PROTOCOL VERSION

2 (5 December 2022).