The use of povidone‐iodine and sugar solution in surgical wound dehiscence in the head and neck following radio‐chemotherapy

Abstract

Povidone‐iodine is known for successfully treating surgical wounds; the combination between povidone‐iodine and sugar, also called Knutson's formula, has been proposed to improve wound healing. Currently, no studies have investigated the effects of Knutson's formula to treat defects in wound closure following radio‐chemotherapy in the head and neck region. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Knutson's formula in improving the wound‐healing process in patients who underwent radio‐chemotherapy after surgery for head and neck cancer. The study, conducted from August 2013 to January 2017, included a sample of 34 patients (25 males and 9 females; age range: 60‐75 years) treated with radio‐chemotherapy after head and neck cancer surgery. All patients suffered from defect of wound regeneration. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: patients in the study group (n = 18) were treated with Knutson's formula; patients in the control group (n = 16) were treated with traditional topical drugs. In the study group, 16 of 18 (88.9%) patients reached complete wound closure 1 month after treatment, with no wound infections. In the control group, only three patients (18.7%) showed complete wound closure within a month; in addition, one patient required systemic antibiotic treatment because of supra‐bacterial infection of the wound. In our sample, the combination of povidone‐iodine and sugar had a higher success rate compared with traditional topical treatment in the treatment of wound defect closure in oncological patients who underwent radio‐chemotherapy.

Uncovering the Benefits of Povidone Iodine Compared to Other Therapeutic Agents in Wound Infection Prevention and Healing Outcomes: A Scoping Review

“… Caesarean section wound 10% PV-I solution (n=590) 4% chlorhexidine gluconate solution (n=524) 14 Karuserci et al (2019) 26 Turkey A prospective, randomized, controlled study PI: 33.92±11.09 Non-PI: 36.26±11.33 To research the impact of irrigation with PV-I and subcutaneous rifampicin on incisional surgical site infection. Gynaecologic surgery wound Saline + 10% PV-I (n=100) Saline (n=100) 15 Di Stadio et al (2019) 27 Italy A case-control study 60–75 To determine whether Knutson’s solution, which combines PV-I and sugar, is effective at speeding up the healing of wounds in patients who had radio-chemotherapy administered after having surgery for head and neck cancer. Wound dehiscence on head and neck cancer post-operative PV-I + sugar (n=18) Traditional topical drugs (n=16) 16 Chen et al (2021) 33 China A Randomized controlled trial ≥ 18 To compare wet-to-dry PV-I dressings versus wet silver dressings for wound healing in pemphigus vulgaris patients Skin erosions covering 10–70% of the body surface area.…”

Osteolytic metatarsal osteomyelitis regenerated by combined treatment of artificial carbon dioxide foot bathing and povidone–iodine sugar ointment: a case report

“…It has been suggested that povidone–iodine sugar ointment (U-PASTA; Kowa Company, Ltd. Japan), which is widely used for incurable ulcers, activates keratinocytes and fibroblasts and promotes wound healing [ 10 ], and its effectiveness in improving wound healing has been proven in clinical surgical wounds [ 11 ]. Povidone–iodine sugar ointment, which consists of 70% sugar and 3% povidone–iodine, also called Knutson’s formula, has been proposed to improve wound healing due to a reduction in bacterial contamination, rapid debridement of eschar, probable nourishment of surface cells, filling of defects with granulation tissue, and covering of granulation tissue with epithelium [ 12 ].…”

Efficacy of sucrose and povidone–iodine mixtures in peritoneal dialysis catheter exit-site care

“…Its sugar component has been reported to inhibit biofilm formation by suppressing glycocalyx production [ 11 , 12 ]. Since Knutson et al reported in 1981 that SPI was useful for the treatment of multiple wound types, SPI has been widely used for treating diabetic ulcers, burns, and surgical wounds [ 13 – 17 ]. Currently, the Japanese Society of Pressure Ulcers recommends topical SPI use for pressure ulcers with inflammation and infection [ 18 ].…”