HF 8190

Getting Your Skin Ready for Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Surgery

This handout explains how to prepare your skin before surgery. This is to help lower your risk for infection.

Please review the step-by-step instructions below. It is important to give yourself enough time to follow the steps carefully.

Your clinic will supply you with 5% benzoyl peroxide gel and chlorhexidine gluconate soap (CHG) at your visit. You can also buy it at your local pharmacy. Call your clinic if you have questions.

Supplies Needed

  • 5% benzoyl peroxide gel

  • Regular hand soap

  • CHG soap and a clean washcloth

  • Clean towels, bed sheets, pillowcase and pajamas

Start 5 Days Before Surgery (Daily)

  1. Shower or bathe like usual. Do not shave or wax near the area where you will have your surgery.

  2. Turn off or step out of the stream of water.

  3. Wet a clean washcloth. Apply CHG soap to your hand or a washcloth and wash from neck to toes. Do not apply the soap directly to your face, head or genital area.

  4. Wait 60 seconds (sing happy birthday two times slowly). Do not scrub. Minimal contact to the genital area during rinsing is fine.

  5. Rinse with warm water. Do not scrub.

  6. Blot your skin dry with a clean towel.

  7. Do not use lotions, creams, powders, perfume or makeup after the shower or bath.

Start 2 Days Before Surgery (Morning and Evening)

Along with the CHG daily cleansing, start the below process for the 5% benzoyl peroxide gel.

  1. Wash your hands with regular soap and water.

  2. Apply a half dollar sized amount of 5% benzoyl peroxide gel to the front and back of the shoulder that you will have surgery on. Do not rinse off.

  3. Wash your hands with soap and water.

  4. The peroxide may stain or fade clothing.


Day Before Surgery (Morning)

  1. Shower or bathe with the CHG soap.

  2. Repeat steps 1-3 above for applying the benzoyl peroxide.

Night Before Surgery (After 6:00pm)

  1. Shower or bathe with the CHG soap.

  2. Repeat steps 1-3 above for applying the benzoyl peroxide.

  3. Use clean pajamas and clean sheets.

  4. Do not apply deodorant to surgical side.

The Morning of Surgery at Home

  1. Shower or bathe with the CHG soap.

  2. Repeat steps 1-3 above for applying the benzoyl peroxide.

  3. Avoid anything that could make you sweat before surgery. Your skin needs to be clean and ready for surgery. Do not apply deodorant to surgical side.

Tips

  • Do not use if you are allergic to benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) or any other ingredient in these products.

  • If you notice a rash, redness or itching after using the CHG soap or the benzoyl peroxide gel, rinse off. Do not use it again. When you arrive for surgery, tell your health care team about your reaction.

  • Avoid getting the CHG or the benzoyl peroxide in your eyes, nose and ears.

8189

Checklist

5 Days Before Surgery

  • Wash with CHG

4 Days Before Surgery

  • Wash with CHG

3 Days Before Surgery

  • Wash with CHG

2 Days Before Surgery

  • Wash with CHG

  • Apply Benzoyl Peroxide in AM

  • Apply Benzoyl Peroxide in PM

1 Day Before Surgery

  • Wash with CHG

  • Apply Benzoyl Peroxide in AM

  • Wash with CHG

  • Apply Benzoyl Peroxide in PM

Day of Surgery

  • Wash with CHG in AM

  • Apply Benzoyl Peroxide in AM