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Randomized, blinded study to assess the effect of povidone‐iodine on the groin wound of patients undergoing primary varicose vein surgery
Author(s) -
Walker Stuart R.,
Smith Anne
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/ans.12077
Subject(s) - medicine , groin , varicose veins , surgery , randomized controlled trial , saline , iodine , anesthesia , materials science , metallurgy
Background The aim of this study was to assess the effect of povidone‐iodine on the groin wounds of patients undergoing primary varicose vein surgery. Methods This is a prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled study on patients undergoing primary saphenofemoral ligation. Patients were randomized to a povidone‐iodine ( B etadine; Pfizer, West Ryde, Australia)‐soaked surgical gauze placed in the open wound or a saline‐soaked gauze placed in the wound. Patients were then followed up weekly for 6 weeks to observe for signs of wound infection. Results Sixty‐eight legs in 49 patients were recruited. Thirty‐seven groin wounds were randomized to saline and 32 to Betadine. There was a reduced incidence of groin wound infections in those randomized to Betadine (3 versus 1), but this was not statistically significant ( P = 0.4). Conclusion Although there may be a trend towards a lower wound infection rate when povidone‐iodine is use in surgical wounds, this is not significant for varicose vein surgery.