COOLED BOILED WATER VERSUS STERILE NORMAL SALINE IN WOUND CLEANSING, A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Introduction: Wound cleansing plays a vital role in wound management. Although various solutions have been recommended for cleansing wounds, normal saline is favoured as it is an isotonic solution and is not thought to interfere with the normal healing process. Cooled boiled water is commonly used in community settings for cleansing wounds because it is easily accessible, efcient and cost-effective; however, there is an unresolved debate about its use. The aim of the study was to test whether there are differences in wound infection and w Aims And Objectives: ound healing rates when wounds are irrigated with cooled boiled water compared to sterile normal saline. Can this approach be used in a community environment without risk? Subjects were randomly assigned to wound cleansing with cooled Method: boiled water (experimental group) or sterile normal saline (control group). Wound assessment was conducted at each hospital visit, and an assessment of wound size was conducted once a week. The main outcome measures, occurrence of a wound infection and wound healing, were assessed over a period of 6 weeks. Study ndings indicate that cooled b Conclusion: oiled water is a safe alternative to sterile normal saline for wound cleansing and this method can be safely applied to community setting.