The invention relates to means and methods for the disinfection of an insertion channel to prevent in particular catheter sepsis, which significantly reduces the carry-over of germs even out of deeper skin layers by means of medical instruments, such as catheters, to be introduced into non-natural openings and also permits the decontamination of perioperatively contaminated medical instruments. The disinfection of the insertion channel is achieved by means of a method for the perioperative coating of a medical instrument to be inserted into an invasively produced opening before use, comprising the application of a viscous or foam-like composition containing at least one anti-infective compound, preferably a gel having octenidine, by means of an applicator, such that when said gel is used, the composition is also specifically effective in the first millimeters of the insertion channel. Furthermore, an immediate disinfecting action is provided over the entire coated surface.
