Effect on the reduction of bacterial load after surgical hand antisepsis with triclosan 0.5% compared to triclosan 0.5% followed by 70% alcoholic solution

Triclosan 0.5% by scrubbing does not meet the UNE-EN12791 criteria to be used in the surgical hand preparation (SHP). Triclosan 0.5% by scrubbing followed by ethanol 70% hand rubbing is suitable without the additional characteristic of sustained effect. This limited effectiveness implies that triclosan should be avoided in SHP given the restrictions on its use in consumer antiseptic products. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT04538365).

Automated summary

The use of Triclosan 0.5% by scrubbing does not meet the criteria for surgical hand preparation (SHP) according to UNE-EN12791. However, using Triclosan 0.5% by scrubbing followed by hand rubbing with 70% ethanol is suitable, although it does not provide sustained effect. Therefore, the use of Triclosan in SHP should be avoided due to restrictions on its use in consumer antiseptic products.