Experience in using povidone-iodine to treat superficial and full-thickness burns

Abstract

Thermal injuries are now ranked number one among injuries, and incidence of injury-related complications, especially infectious and purulent, does not decrease in surgical practice, despite the modern methods for treatment and prevention. Purulent complications depress the speed and quality of wound healing and increase the number of bed-days and treatment costs. Moreover, infection spreading complicates treatment and increases mortality and disability of patients with burn injuries. Choosing the most effective antiseptic agent for burn injuries is crutial both from the perspective of effective local treatment of wounds and wound complications and from the perspective of pharmacoeconomic aspects. At the current time, povidone iodine solution and ointment are one of the leading antiseptics used at all stages of care for burn patients. Its efficacy has been proven by clinical trials and many years’ experience of use by specialists and patients. We have also gained extensive positive experience in using this drug to treat 269 patients with burns of 5 to 35% total body surface area (TBSA) and various thickness without development of resistance and pain in patients and with a pronounced antiseptic effect during its use on the basis of City Clinical Hospital No. 2 of Stavropol, which once again proved high efficacy and feasibility of the widespread use of povidone-iodine in practice due to antimicrobial activity, high bioavailability, ease of use and economic benefits.