Original research articleIs 1% povidone-iodine solution superior to normal saline for simple traumatic wound irrigation?

- Povidone-iodine is a broad spectrum antiseptic irrigation solution which has been used in wound management processes for decades.
- Some recent studies have questioned its superiority to normal saline and even tap water in decreasing the infection rate in different types of wounds.
- This study compares the efficacy and safety of diluted povidone-iodine solution with normal saline as in decreasing the infection rate in simple traumatic wounds repaired in emergency department.
- This study showed that normal saline is as effective as 1% povidone-iodine solution in decreasing the infection rate in simple traumatic wounds.

BackgroundPovidone-iodine is a broad spectrum antiseptic irrigation solution which has been used in wound management processes for decades but some recent studies have questioned its superiority to normal saline and even tap water in decreasing the infection rate in different types of wounds.ObjectiveThis study compares the efficacy and safety of diluted povidone-iodine solution with normal saline as in decreasing the infection rate in simple traumatic wounds repaired in emergency department.MethodPatients with simple traumatic were included and randomly allocated to 2 groups. In 223 patients, wounds were irrigated with 1% povidone-iodine solution. In the other 223 patients, wounds were irrigated with 0.9% normal saline solution. Wound infection rates were compared by assessing the signs and symptomsof infection including cellulitis, abscess, lymphangitis and pus formation.ResultInfectious complications were seen in 29 of 446 (7.4%) patients (15 in povidone-iodine versus 14 in normal saline groups). Nineteen (7.91%) patients in povidone-iodine group and 13 (6.68%) patients in normal saline group showed the evidences of infection in follow up visits. There was no statistically significant difference between infection rates in two studied groups (p = 0.86).ConclusionIrrigation with 1% Povidone-iodine did not increase or decrease the infection rate in traumatic wounds compared to wound irrigation with 0.9% saline solution.