Comparison of the Efficacy of Povidone-Iodine and Normal Saline Wash in Preventing Surgical Site Infections in Laparotomy Wounds-Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Povidone-iodine has been utilized as a broad-spectrum antiseptic irrigation solution in the wound management processes for many years. However, some recent studies showed that the infection rate in laparotomy wounds decreases more by using normal saline. Objective: The study aims to examine the decreasing infection rate in laparotomy wounds by comparing the effectiveness and safety of povidone-iodine solution with normal saline. Method: The patients undergoing elective laparotomies were included and randomly assigned to 2 groups. In the first group (90 patients), incision wounds were flushed with 5% povidone-iodine solution. In the second group (90 patients), incisions were flushed with 0.9% normal saline solution. By comparing the infection rates of the wound outcomes were measured between the two groups. Result: Surgical site infections were seen in 16 of 180 (12.5%) patients 9 in povidone-iodine versus 7 in normal saline groups. The difference in the infection rates in the two studied groups (p=0.6) has no statistical significance. Conclusion: The infection rate in laparotomy wounds did not increase or decreased when the wound was irrigated with 5% Povidone-iodine solution or with 0.9% saline solution.