LAUSR

Effective skin preparation is essential to decrease the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs). Several agents utilizing both chlorhexidine and iodophors are in use today. Specifically, orthopaedic surgery has seen increasing use of chlorhexidine in surgical site preparation, with evidence that it provides superior antiseptic capabilities compared with other agents. There is little knowledge of the adverse effects of chlorhexidine. The purpose of this case report was to describe contact dermatitis that occurred in a patient after the use of chlorhexidine for surgical site preparation. The patient was initially thought to have a skin infection. After accurately diagnosing the reaction with the assistance of a dermatologist, the patient was successfully treated. To our knowledge, this is the only described case report of such a reaction in the orthopaedic literature.