Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2006.1587.1590MohamadniaA. R.MahzooniehM. R.KarimiI. HeydariN. 8200698The purpose of skin preparation prior to surgery is to rid the surgical site of organic material, hair and oil and to reduce the number of transient and resident microorganisms, thus minimizing the risk of post surgical infections. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate surgical preparation of ovine skin. Four antiseptics were used: 1- Povidine Iodine 1% (PI), 2- Chlorhexidine Gluconate1% (CH), 3- Cetrimide - C 1% (CC), 4- Ethyl Alcohol 70%, Povidine Iodine 1%, Ethyl Alcohol 70% (ABA), 5- Double washing with soap and water (C1), 6- No additional washing and treatment (C2). Right and left flanks of five healthy sheep were divided into six sections (10x8 cm) by sticker tapes after initial washing by water and soap and each section was randomly prepared by one of the above mentioned preparations. Samples for bacteriologic count were taken before scrub, immediately after scrub and one hour postscrub and CFUs were evaluated and compared in different groups. A two way repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis of the data. CFUs were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in all groups except C2 at the postscrub sampling. The highest reduction was in PI and CH groups. One hour after scrub just PI and C2 did not show any significant difference compared initial sampling (p<0.05). It seems that CH is the best antiseptic for preparation of the ovine skin in reducing the number of bacteria.]]>Coolman, B.R., S.M. Marretta, I. Kakoma, M.A.Wallig, S.L. Coolman and A.J. Paul,199839757763Culligan, P.J., K. Kubik, M. Murphy, L. Blackwell and J. Snyder,2005192422425Desrochers, A., G. St-Jean, D.E. Anderson, D.P. Rogers and M.M. Chengappa,199625336341Deyoung, D.J., D.J. Osana and R.L. Walker,1990191419Eggimann, P. and D. Pittet,20028295309Garibaldi, R.A., D. Skolnick, T. Lerer, A. Poirot, J. Graham, E. Krisuinas and R. Lyons,19889109113Goldenheim, P.D.,199369S97105Guthua, S.W., F.G. Macigo, D.L. Mwaniki and G.O. Okallo,200178157160Iwasawa, A. and Y. Nakamura,200377948956Kalantar-Hormozi, A.J. and B. Davami,2005116529531Lee, J.Y.,199719162167Osuna, D.J., D.J. DeYoung and R.L. Walker,1990191419Romatowski, J.,1989194107114Sebben, J.E,19839759765Swaim, S.F., K.P. Riddle, D.L. Gieger, T.L. Hathcock and J.A. McGuire,199119819411945