The leg was divided into 17 zones as demonstrated on the two images to the left: 1) thigh ventral, 2) thigh lateral, 3) thigh dorsal, 4) thigh medial, 5) knee ventral, 6) knee lateral, 7) knee dorsal, 8) knee medial, 9) lower leg ventral, 10) lower leg lateral, 11) lower leg dorsal, 12) lower leg medial, 13) foot ventral, 14) foot lateral, 15) foot plantar, 16) foot medial, 17) heel.
STERILE
The two images on the right show the appearance of the skin preparation under the UV light.The cleansing procedure started ventral. The sequence was: 1) the ventral thigh, 2) the lateral thigh, 3) the dorsal thigh, and 4) the medial thigh. The same sequence was performed for the zones around the knee, lower leg and foot. For the foot, the heel was considered to be an additional zone. The leg was held at the heel/ lower leg by a second person and the investigator switched sides during cleansing protocol. The surgeons were directly informed before the intervention, which disinfectant and which side they had to start with. No sterile drapes were used.