Perioperative care mnemonic

Surgical wound classes by contamination

The mnemonic

Clean, Clean-contaminated, Contaminated, Dirty

What each word stands for

  • CleanNo tract opened, no inflammation (e.g. hernia repair)
  • Clean-contaminatedTract opened under control (e.g. elective cholecystectomy)
  • ContaminatedSpillage or fresh trauma (e.g. spillage of bowel contents)
  • DirtyEstablished infection or perforation with pus

Why it matters clinically

Determines infection risk and whether antibiotic prophylaxis or treatment is needed.

Where it stops being reliable

Classes are a guide to risk; actual infection rates vary between series.

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Perioperative care mnemonic?

Clean, Clean-contaminated, Contaminated, Dirty. It helps you recall: Surgical wound classes by contamination.

What does "Clean" stand for?

No tract opened, no inflammation (e.g. hernia repair)

What does "Clean-contaminated" stand for?

Tract opened under control (e.g. elective cholecystectomy)

What does "Contaminated" stand for?

Spillage or fresh trauma (e.g. spillage of bowel contents)

What are all the parts of the Clean, Clean-contaminated, Contaminated, Dirty mnemonic?

Clean: No tract opened, no inflammation (e.g. hernia repair); Clean-contaminated: Tract opened under control (e.g. elective cholecystectomy); Contaminated: Spillage or fresh trauma (e.g. spillage of bowel contents); Dirty: Established infection or perforation with pus.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Perioperative care in General Surgery.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

Classes are a guide to risk; actual infection rates vary between series.

How is this useful clinically?

Determines infection risk and whether antibiotic prophylaxis or treatment is needed.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a General Surgery question about Perioperative care.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.