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Povidone-Iodine Versus Chlorhexidine in Surgical Wound Care

Comparison of Povidone-Iodine and Chlorhexidine in the Management of Iatrogenic Wounds in Surgical Patients

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06667089
Enrollment
107
Registered
2024-10-31
Start date
2025-01-07
Completion date
2025-04-04
Last updated
2025-04-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Wound

Brief summary

This comparison examines the effectiveness of povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine in managing iatrogenic wounds in surgical patients. Both antiseptics are commonly used to prevent postoperative infections, but they differ in mechanism, efficacy, and safety profiles. Povidone-iodine releases iodine, which acts broadly against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, while chlorhexidine disrupts cell membranes, providing rapid bactericidal action. Studies suggest that chlorhexidine may offer longer-lasting antibacterial effects, but povidone-iodine has a wider antimicrobial range. Optimal choice depends on patient needs, wound type, and potential for adverse reactions, emphasizing the need for tailored antiseptic strategies in wound care.

Interventions

OTHERPovidone-Iodine

The povidone-iodine group will receive a 10% povidone-iodine solution or gel applied directly to the wound after gentle cleaning, with the treatment applied according to a set frequency, typically twice daily. This antiseptic will be left on the wound for a brief period to enhance its antimicrobial action.

OTHERChlorhexidine

The chlorhexidine group will receive a chlorhexidine solution, usually at a concentration of 0.5% to 2%, applied similarly after cleaning the wound. This solution will remain on the wound according to protocol guidelines, also typically applied twice daily. Both groups will be monitored for adverse reactions, signs of infection, and the overall effectiveness of wound healing throughout the treatment period.

Sponsors

University of Jaén
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Elderly patients undergoing surgical procedures resulting in iatrogenic wounds (surgical wounds of various specialties, such as abdominal, orthopedic, cardiovascular, etc.). * Availability for follow-up during the postoperative period, ensuring attendance at medical check-ups for the evaluation of healing and prevention of infections. * Ability to provide informed consent, understanding the objectives, risks and benefits of the study. * Absence of previous infections at the surgical site, ensuring that the wounds are recent and derived from the current surgical procedure.

Exclusion criteria

* Known allergies or hypersensitivity to povidone iodine or chlorhexidine, to avoid risks of serious adverse reactions. * Immunocompromised patients, such as those with advanced HIV, on immunosuppressant treatment, or with decompensated chronic diseases (poorly controlled diabetes, kidney failure, etc.), due to increased susceptibility to infections and altered healing. * Patients with active infections or infected wounds prior to surgery, to avoid biasing the results by pre-existing infections. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding, due to safety considerations and the possible alteration of healing and immunity processes during these stages. * Use of other antiseptics or topical treatments at the wound site that may interfere with the efficacy of povidone iodine or chlorhexidine. * Patients with known wound healing disorders (such as autoimmune diseases or hematological disorders), which may affect the results in terms of healing time and quality.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D)Up to twelve weeksThe EuroQol-5D is a standardized instrument for measuring health-related quality of life across five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. The results yield a single index score that typically ranges from -0.594 (worse than death) to 1 (optimal health). Scores are interpreted as follows: 0.0 signifies an average quality of life, 0.5 to 0.8 indicates moderate impairment, and 0.9 to 1.0 reflects high quality of life. These scores are essential for assessing the impact of interventions on patient quality of life.
Wound Healing Assessment ToolUp to twelve weeksThis tool encompasses various metrics for evaluating wound characteristics, such as size, depth, and signs of infection. Interpretation of the results varies depending on the specific metrics used, but generally, a decrease in wound size and the absence of infection signs signify effective healing. Conversely, the presence of necrosis or an increase in wound size may indicate complications. Higher scores typically correlate with better healing outcomes, guiding clinicians in treatment decisions and monitoring progress.
Adverse Event Reporting FormUp to twelve weeksThis form is used to document any adverse reactions or events experienced by patients during treatment. The results are analyzed to calculate the incidence rate of adverse events, with lower rates suggesting that the treatment is safe and well-tolerated. Conversely, a higher frequency of adverse events may indicate safety concerns, prompting further investigation and potential modifications in treatment protocols. These findings are critical for evaluating the safety profile of interventions and informing clinical practice.
Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)Up to twelve weeksThe Numerical Rating Scale is a pain assessment tool where patients rate their pain intensity on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no pain and 10 representing the worst possible pain. The interpretation of the scores is categorized into levels of pain severity: a score of 0-3 denotes mild pain, 4-6 indicates moderate pain, and 7-10 reflects severe pain. This categorization allows healthcare providers to gauge the patient's pain experience effectively, guiding treatment decisions and evaluating the efficacy of pain management strategies.
Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ)Up to twelve weeksThe Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire assesses patient satisfaction with healthcare services, using a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 represents very dissatisfied and 5 indicates very satisfied. Interpretation of the scores categorizes satisfaction levels: 1-2 denotes low satisfaction, 3 represents average satisfaction, and 4-5 indicates high satisfaction. Higher scores suggest improvements in service quality and patient care, providing valuable feedback for healthcare providers to enhance their practices.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)Up to twelve weeksA simple and valid assessment of both sleep quality and disturbance that might affect. They consist of 10 questions divided into four subscales: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep discomfort, medication use and daytime dysfunctions, adding up to a total score. The higher value represents a worse result. Higher scores indicate poorer sleep.
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)Up to twelve weeksAssesses symptoms of anxiety and depression using 14 items (7 for each subscale), each scored from 0 to 3. Scores range from 0 to 21 for anxiety and for depression, where 0-7 is normal, 8-10 indicates possible symptoms, and 11 or higher suggests a clinical disorder.

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026