EFFICACY ASSESSMENT OF ANTISEPTIC-ANTIMICROBIAL COMBINATION THERAPY FOR SOFT TISSUE INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS

Abstract

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) including abscesses, cellulitis, infected wounds, and necrotizing infections remain a significant challenge in surgical practice. The efficacy of antiseptic-antimicrobial combination therapy is determined by synergistic factors: broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, enhanced tissue penetration, prolonged residual bactericidal effect, and favorable influence on wound healing [1]. The rationale for combining chlorhexidine with alcohol lies in their complementary mechanisms — chlorhexidine provides sustained antimicrobial activity through binding to bacterial cell membranes, while isopropyl alcohol delivers rapid bactericidal effect through protein denaturation, creating synergistic antimicrobial action [2].

The microbiological landscape of SSTIs demonstrates pathogen diversity with Staphylococcus aureus predominance, including MRSA reaching 18-40% prevalence globally [1,3]. Recent meta-analyses have demonstrated chlorhexidine-alcohol combinations exhibit significant superiority over aqueous solutions in preventing surgical site infections [2,4]. However, correlation between in vitro microbiological activity and clinical outcomes remains insufficiently investigated [5]. Previous regional research has established fundamental approaches to surgical infection management [6].