Experience with the use of betadine for the local management of burn wounds

ABSTRACT

Since infection remains the major unsolved problem and the great hazard threatening the survival of seriously burned patients, the search for new effective topical agents has to be constantly pursued. This study was carried out on 100 patients with variable types of burn wounds in an attempt to assess the role of Betadine as a topical agent in control of burn wound infection. Betadine was used alone for 50 patients, Flamazine was used for another 15 patients and both agents were applied simultaneously for different areas for 35 patients. The time needed for complete healing of second degree burns and the time needed to prepare deep dermal burns for grafting were used to compare the efficacy of both agents. Also, swab cultures were done for some patients for whom both agents were used. Results were discussed and it was concluded that Betadine is very effective agent in burn wound prophylaxis and management. Minor problems encountered during its use were also reported