Decreasing Infection in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

Despite the use of a standard preoperative skin disinfectant prior to shoulder surgery propionibacterium acne remains a leading cause of post-operative infections. The purpose of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of topical benzoyl peroxide as an adjuvant to chlorhexidine-impregnated skin preparation in attempting to lower the colonization propionibacterium acne prior to surgery. This study will take cultures from patients who are randomly assigned into groups that receive and do not receive benzoyl peroxide as additional skin prep prior to elective shoulder surgery and compare quantified culture results.