Background: Post-operative
infections are a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) is an
antimicrobial agent that has been used in various surgical settings to prevent
infections. However, the literature on its efficacy in reducing post-operative
infections remains unclear. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of PHMB in reducing post-operative
infections. The risk of bias and methodologic quality of the included studies were also assessed. Results: The systematic review included nine RCTs, and eight were included in the meta-analysis that showed that the use of PHMB was associated with a reduction in the rate of post-operative
infections. The overall effect size was statistically significant, with moderate heterogeneity across the included studies (log Peto's odds ratio [OR], -0.890; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.411 to -0.369; I2 = 41.89%). However, the diversity in the application of PHMB and the potential influence of other factors, such as adherence to
infection prevention protocols and organizational-level variables, underscore the need for further primary studies. Conclusions:
Polyhexamethylene biguanide appears to be a promising intervention for reducing post-operative
infections. However, more high-quality, well-designed RCTs are needed to confirm these findings and to explore the most effective ways to use PHMB within specific
infection prevention bundles. Future research should also aim to control for potential confounding factors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the efficacy of PHMB in reducing post-operative
infections.