LAUSR

Application of an antiseptic to the skin prior to spinal interventions is an important component of the broader topic of surgical site infection risk management [1]. Indeed, an effective skin antiseptic is only one of the required elements of a good aseptic technique. Although rare, three types of infections have been reported following routine epidural steroid injection: superficial skin injection-site infection, discitis, epidural abscess [2-5]. There are two topical solutions commonly utilized to disinfect clean intact skin: povidone-iodine (PVI) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG). Both are commercially available, as either an aqueous or alcohol-based solution.