Chlorhexidine vs. Ethanol for Buttonhole AVF Disinfection

A randomized, cross-over trial compared 5mg/mL chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol vs. 70% ethanol alone in four dialysis treatments. Factors considered were arm washing, serial sampling of normal skin flora immediately before/after disinfection, and 2 and 4 hours after disinfection. Buttonhole scabs were collected and compared to each patient’s normal skin flora. Chlorhexidine was more effective than ethanol alone.

Read the abstract » | (added 2025-08-21)

Tags: Chlorhexidine, Ethanol, Skin Flora, Disinfection, AV Fistula, Buttonhole