Chlorhexidine Versus Iodine-Based Skin Preparation Was Not Associated with a Significant Difference in 90-Day Infection Risk After Instrumented Degenerative Cervical or Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Background/Objectives: Chlorhexidine and iodine-based preparations are both widely used, and the existing literature suggests a possible advantage of chlorhexidine in clean elective surgery. Whether this extends to instrumented degenerative spine surgery is unknown. We asked whether chlorhexidine-based skin preparation reduces 90-day postoperative infection compared with iodine-based preparation after instrumented degenerative cervical or lumbar spine surgery.