The antimicrobial efficacy of the anatomical scrubbing compared to the chronologic method for antisepsis of the surgical team arms were evaluated in sixteen students of the Veterinary Medicine school of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Both methods utilized running water and povidone iodine 10% solution for washing hands, arms and elbow. Samples were collected from each arm on the cuticle of the midle finger, the interdigital region between the thumb and index finger and elbow. Samples were obtained before scrubbing, after drying and one hour after the hand scrubbing. The hands were on gloves during one hour, the time for surgical procedure. The samples were submitted to bacteriologic examination. the chronologic method and anatomical scrubbing offered efficient reduction in the bacterial flora when utilized with povidone iodine. The chronologic method should be prefered for antisepsis of the surgical team hands because it is faster and less traumatic than the anatomical scrubbing.
hand antissepsis; surgery; povidone iodine
