title: [Skin antiseptics in plastic surgery].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wound healing is a complex proces, which is influenced by multiple factors. Bacterial contamination and infection are frequent and severe complications. The treatment of such infected wounds is a major challenge to the plastic surgeon. The topical application of wound antiseptics is widely used as a therapeutic approach in the treatment of these wounds. This review provides an overview about their clinical application, their cytotoxic and antibacterial properties as well as interactions with commonly used wound dressings.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article reviews current literature dealing with local antiseptics, antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity and compatibility with wound dressings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Topical antiseptics are used on a daily basis in order to reduce bacterial wound contamination. However, few data exist concerning their antimicrobial activity, especially in relation to their cytotoxicity. Furthermore, their compatibility with wound dressings is barely investigated. Recent studies show significant toxic effects on cells and an incompatibility with certain wound dressings for some of these antiseptics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antiseptics are broadly used in healthcare to reduce, inactivate or eliminate bacterial pathogens. Recent studies show that many daily used antiseptics possess relevant cytotoxic properties as well as cross reactions with wound dressings. Additional studies are therefore needed to further investigate and characterize the properties of wound antiseptics in order to identify the optimal therapeutic agents for the treatment of infected wounds.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hand-, Plastische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, BG Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, Schwerbrandverletztenzentrum, Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie an der Universität Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kolbenschlag
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Goertz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Behr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daigeler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lehnhardt
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirsch
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001645:Biguanides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007097:Imines; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001645:Biguanides; D007097:Imines; D011725:Pyridines; C031233:polihexanide; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; C034213:octenidine