Surgical hand disinfection: comparison of 4% chlorhexidine detergent solution and 2% triclosan detergent solution

The effect of 4% chlorhexidine detergent and 2% triclosan detergent on the resident flora of the hands was compared on 20 healthy volunteers. The initial and prolonged effects of the agents were assessed by a modification of the Peterson glove rinse test after multiple hand washes. Chlorhexidine detergent was significantly more effective than triclosan detergent (p less than 0.001) which in turn was more effective than non-medicated soap (p less than 0.001) for both initial and prolonged effect. Chlorhexidine, but not triclosan, showed a significantly greater prolonged effect than initial effect (p less than 0.01). Five volunteers (25%) experienced skin irritation with triclosan; no side effects were experienced with chlorhexidine.