Clean surgical wound edges result in smaller scars and promote faster healing. Irrigation is another important means of infection prevention. In general, 100-200 mL of irrigation solution per inch of wound are required. Heavily contaminated wounds require more irrigation. Large dirty wounds may require irrigation in the operating room.
Normal saline is a safe, available, effective, and inexpensive irrigating solution.
Few of the numerous other solutions and mixtures of saline and antibiotics have any advantages over saline. If a shieldlike device is used, take care to prevent the irrigating solution from returning to the wound, thus decreasing the effectiveness of the irrigation. Consider tetanus and rabies prophylaxis for all wounds. Consider primary closure in relatively clean bite wounds, or wounds that be cleansed effectively. Others are best treated by delayed primary closure.