Trials excluded from the review were those that:
1. Utilised solutions for pre operative skin cleansing to prevent postoperative infections;
2. Assessed the effectiveness of solutions as part of the operative procedure, for example lavage with povidone-iodine or normal saline after fascia closure;
3. Compared dressings for patients with ulcers;
4. Used a solution, for example povidone-iodine as a prophylactic treatment.