Activated chlorine dioxide solution can be used as a biocompatible antiseptic wound irrigant.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to compare cosmesis at 3 to 4 months and infection in simple lacerations irrigated with normal saline (NS) versus activated chlorine dioxide (CD).

DESIGN:

This was a prospective, randomized trial of a convenience sample of patients. This study was approved by the institutional review board and Food and Drug Administration as a physician-sponsored trial (FDA investigational new drug no. 68762).

SETTING:

The study was conducted in a large urban, academic emergency department.

PATIENTS:

Patients aged 18 to 100 with simple, uncomplicated lacerations requiring repair that were less than 8 hours old were enrolled.

INTERVENTIONS:

Patients were randomized to receive either NS or CD wound irrigation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Demographics, infection, and cosmesis were analyzed and assessed. Cosmetic outcome was assessed at 3 to 4 months using a visual analog scale (VAS), wound evaluation score (WES), patient VAS (VASPt), and digital imaging VAS by 2 plastic surgeons (VASPlast).

MAIN RESULTS:

One hundred ninety-three patients were enrolled. Data analysis was available for 175 cases (86 NS and 89 CD). Wound infection follow-up was obtained in 74.9% of the patients. The 3- to 4-month cosmesis follow-up was 37.7% for VAS/WES, 40.0% for VASPt, and 37.7% for VASPlast. There were no significant differences in demographics, key wound characteristics, infection, adverse reactions, and cosmesis.

CONCLUSION:

The authors report the use of a novel antimicrobial irrigation solution. Chlorine dioxide appears to be a safe biologically acceptable antiseptic wound irrigant that does not appear to interfere with cosmetic outcomes.

• Authors: Jonathan H Valente, Gregory D Jay, Christopher P Zabbo, Steven E Reinert, Karina Bertsch
• Journal: Advances in skin & wound care (Adv Skin Wound Care) Vol. 27 Issue 1 Pg. 13-9 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 1538-8654 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24343388 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents, Local
• Biocompatible Materials
• Chlorine Compounds
• Oxides
• Sodium Chloride
• chlorine dioxide

Topics

• Academic Medical Centers
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Infective Agents, Local (therapeutic use)
• Biocompatible Materials
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Chlorine Compounds (therapeutic use)
• Emergency Service, Hospital
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Injury Severity Score
• Lacerations (diagnosis, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Oxides (therapeutic use)
• Pilot Projects
• Prospective Studies
• Reference Values
• Rhode Island
• Risk Assessment
• Sodium Chloride (therapeutic use)
• Therapeutic Irrigation (methods)
• Treatment Outcome
• Urban Population
• Wound Healing (physiology)
• Wound Infection (prevention & control)
• Young Adult