Prevention of wound infection: the comparative effectiveness of topical and systemic cefazolin and povidone-iodine.

From studies in mice, the irrigation of a contaminated surgical wound saline alone proved of little benefit. The addition of cefazolin to the irrigating solution favorably influenced the rate of infection. The most effective way to administer antibiotics topically was by the application of the antibiotic powder to the wound. Topical cefazolin administered in this way was equally as effective as systemic administration in preventing wound sepsis. Irrigation of a contamined wound with a solution of povidone-iodine was no more effective than the use of cefazolin powder but may be associated with significant toxicity.