title: Chemical preparation of the eye in ophthalmic surgery. IV. Comparison of povidone-iodine on the conjunctiva with a prophylactic antibiotic.
abstract: We previously found that half-strength (5%) povidone-iodine solution significantly reduced the bacterial flora of the conjunctiva. To compare the antibacterial effect of a topical combination antibiotic (Neosporin ophthalmic solution) given three times daily for three days preoperatively with that of half-strength povidone-iodine solution given as part of the preoperative preparation, conjunctival cultures were studied from 35 patients undergoing ocular surgery. When used individually, the antibiotic and povidone-iodine solutions caused a similar and substantial decrease in the number of colonies and species of bacteria cultured. When both drugs were used together, the decrease was even more striking, making 83% of the conjunctivae sterile. To minimize bacterial flora before ocular surgery, we recommend that a broad-spectrum topical antibiotic be given for three days preoperatively and that half-strength povidone-iodine solution be used as part of the preoperative preparation.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001414:Bacitracin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology*; D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006190:Haemophilus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D009355:Neomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D011112:Polymyxin B / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011113:Polymyxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011205:Povidone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011292:Premedication; D011511:Proteus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011113:Polymyxins; D001414:Bacitracin; C001816:bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B, drug combination; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D011205:Povidone; D009355:Neomycin; D011112:Polymyxin B