Povidone-iodine soaks for hand abscesses: a prospective randomized trial.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To determine the effect of povidone-iodine soaks on outcomes of hand infections after operative drainage.

METHODS:

We performed a single-center, prospective, randomized trial to evaluate 100 consecutive hand infections. Forty-nine patients received povidone-iodine soaks 3 times daily, and 51 patients received only daily dressing changes. Outcome measures were the number of operations, readmissions, reoperations for wound complications, and days spent in the hospital.

RESULTS:

Patients treated with povidone soaks averaged 1.6 operations, and patients treated with daily dressing changes averaged 1.4 operations, a statistically insignificant difference. The mean number of operations was also not different between groups for the dorsal hand or dorsal finger abscess subcategories. No significant differences were found in length of stay, number of readmissions, or number of reoperations for wound complications.

CONCLUSIONS:

Povidone-iodine soaks are not helpful in the postoperative management of hand infections

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic II.

• Authors: Rick Tosti, Justin Iorio, John R Fowler, John Gaughan, Joseph J Thoder, Alyssa A Schaffer
• Journal: The Journal of hand surgery (J Hand Surg Am) Vol. 39 Issue 5 Pg. 962-5 (May 2014) ISSN: 1531-6564 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24636027 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents, Local
• Povidone-Iodine

Topics

• Abscess (drug therapy)
• Adult
• Anti-Infective Agents, Local (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Hand
• Humans
• Male
• Povidone-Iodine (therapeutic use)
• Prospective Studies
• Surgical Wound Infection (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome