Healing of Postsurgical Wound Dehiscence Through Continuous Dilute Povidone-Iodine Infusion with a Novel Topical Delivery System

Background: 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 optimize the wound environment for wound healing.

Methods: Five patients were identified as having had a postsurgical wound dehiscence during their visit to clinic. They had the topical delivery system (TDS) placed in clinic with the reservoir filled with 25% dilute povidone-iodine for continual administration throughout the week. On weekly followup for four weeks, wound size, signs of infection, exudate, and pain were recorded. Devices were provided free of charge by Aplion Medical Corporation.

Results: There was an average 91% wound size reduction with continuous dilute povidone-betadine infusion through a TDS. Three of these patients had complete wound closure at the end of the five-week follow-up period. There were no adverse reactions or associated infections with the use of this device or the infusion of dilute betadine.

Conclusions: Our goal was to optimize the wound healing environment for postsurgical wound dehiscence. 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 controlling the microbial bioburden.