Makhni MC, et al. - Several studies have evaluated the efficacy of home use of chlorhexidine before surgery to reduce bacterial colonization. Herein, the efficacy of chlorhexidine gluconate wipes for decreasing bacterial counts on the posterior neck was prospectively analyzed. Findings demonstrated that the topical bacterial burden did not decrease when chlorhexidine gluconate wipes were used at home. Therefore, using chlorhexidine gluconate wipes at home before surgery may offer no added benefit.