Healing of Post Surgical Wound Dehiscience Through Continuous Dilute Povidone-iodine Infusion Through a Novel Topical Delivery System

Introduction: Wound dehiscience can occur for multiple reasons including chronic disease, acute infection, increased wound tension, and many others. The underlying etiology of the dehiscence makes it difficult to manage as sometimes that etiology cannot be resolved, which is why the practitioner needs to optimize the wound environment in order to overcome the obstacles precluding wound healing. Our use of continuous dilute povidone-iodine infusion through a novel topical delivery system aimed to provide such an environment for wound healing.

Methods: 5 patients were identified as having had a post-surgical wound dehiscence during their visit to clinic. They had the topical delivery system (TDS) placed in clinic with the reservoir filled with dilute povidone-iodine for continual administration throughout the week. On weekly follow up for four weeks: wound size, signs of infection, exudate, and pain were recorded.

Results: Patients saw a decrease in wound size and pain. The device was well tolerated with dilute povidone-iodine infusion throughout the week with excellent compliance. 

Discussion: Our goal was to optimize the wound healing environment for post surgical wound dehiscences. Through the use of a novel TDS, we were able to have a continuous infusion of dilute povidone-iodine in our wounds. This allowed us to maintain a closed wound and control the moisture of the wound bed along with the inherent antiseptic qualities of povidone-iodine, thus controlled the microbial bioburden. This therapy has utility in many different types of wounds, and with infusion of various types of agents; further analysis will have to be done to elucidate superiority in one.