Povidone-Iodine Solution in Wound Treatment

Clinicians have used numerous strategies to combat wound infections, including topical and systemic administration of antibiotics, and various antiseptic agents such as hypochlorite (bleach) and hydrogen peroxide have been placed on wounds to kill bacteria or inhibit their growth.¹ A commonly used antimicrobial agent is povidone-iodine (Betadine®*), a complex of iodine, the bactericidal component, with polyvinylpyrrolidone (povidone), a synthetic polymer.¹ The most common commercial form is a 10% solution in water yielding 1% available iodine.¹ Povidone-iodine is available as a surgical scrub or skin cleanser with a detergent base (0.75% available iodine) or in other forms.¹

Decisions regarding choice of wound treatment involve two basic consideriations: (1) how safe is the treatment, and (2) how effective is the treatment. The safety of a wound care treatment may be determined by whether the treatment retards the progress of the wound through the stages of healing (inflammatory, proliferative/reepithelializing, and remodeling).…

Povidone-iodine, Topical disinfectants, Wound care