Povidone-Iodine for Nasal Decolonization

This will be a prospective single-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial of two applications of a nasal 10% Povidone Iodine (PI) solution used on the intranasal mucosal surfaces of each nostril in the preoperative holding area within 2 h prior to surgical incision compared with NS using the same technique. Both the PI and NS will be applied by rotating the swab over the intranasal mucosal surface for 15 seconds; this process will be performed twice for both nostrils, using a new swab for each application. Nasal cultures will be obtained prior to PI or NS application as well as intraoperatively 1 hour and 2 hours after first surgical incision. The primary study end point is the decrease in S. aureus/MRSA colony forming units (CFU) in nasal cultures taken within 2 hours after intervention in patients who presented with a positive preintervention nasal culture. A secondary endpoint is the presence or absence of surgical site infections within 30 days postoperatively