Evaluation of effectiveness of 10% polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine solution against infections in wire and pin holes for Ilizarov external fixators.
OBJECTIVE
Superficial infection at wire and pin insertions in the skin is a frequent disorder among patients utilizing the Ilizarov method. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of daily topical application of 10% polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine solution against infections of the holes for Kirschner wires and Schanz pins among patients using Ilizarov external fixators, in comparison with cleaning these holes only with 0.9% sterile physiological saline solution.


METHODS
Controlled randomized clinical trial, in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Outpatient Clinic, Hospital São Paulo, and Orthopedics and Traumatology Center of Jundiaí.


METHODS
30 patients were treated using the Ilizarov technique: 15 were instructed to apply 0.9% physiological saline dressing on the wire and pin insertions and 15 to apply 0.9% physiological saline plus 10% polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine. Patients were evaluated at outpatient return visits for identification of signs and symptoms of superficial infection at wire and pin insertion sites. Samples were collected from cases of purulent exudate secretion, for culturing and clinical tests.


RESULTS
The chi-squared and Fischer exact tests were applied, but no statistically significant association between the intervention of topical polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine solution and the prevention of infections at wire and pin insertions could be found.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical 10% polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine solution applied daily to Kirschner wire and Schanz pin insertions did not reduce the incidence of superficial infection at these holes, in comparison with mechanical removal of dirt using 0.9% physiological saline solution.
Camilo
Adelina Morais
AM
Orthopedics and Traumatology Outpatient Clinic, Hospital São Paulo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, R. Napoleão de Barros 715, São Paulo, Brazil, CEP 04020-2002. derov@ig.com.br
Bongiovanni
José Carlos
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000382:microbiology*; D001864:Bone Wires / Q000382:microbiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D011206:Povidone-Iodine