Question

Which of the following infection control modalities would be standard practice for a 53 year old male undergoing a Mayo repair of a paraumbilical hernia?

a. sodium hypochlorite solution applied to the skin
b. administration of clindamycin
c. aqueous iodine applied to the skin
d. administration of gentamicin
e. pre-operative shaving

Answer 1

Aqueous iodine, specifically an iodophor like povidone-iodine (Betadine), is the standard infection control modality applied to the skin before the Mayo repair of a paraumbilical hernia to prevent postoperative infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

The infection control modality that would be standard practice for a 53-year-old male undergoing a Mayo repair of a paraumbilical hernia is c. aqueous iodine applied to the skin. Options such as sodium hypochlorite solution and gentamicin are not typically used for skin antisepsis before surgical incision. Aqueous iodine solutions, particularly iodophors like povidone-iodine (commonly known as Betadine), are widely used for their effectiveness in reducing skin flora without causing excessive irritation or staining. This infection control measure aims to prevent wound infection post-surgery. It's important to note that pre-operative measures such as patient skin decolonization using chlorhexidine and detection and treatment of MRSA carriers can be significant in reducing the risk of surgical site infections.