EFFECT OF POVIDONE-IODINE DERMATOLOGICAL OINTMENT ON WOUND-HEALING

Objective: To evaluate the effect of topical povidone iodine ointment on wound healing. Materials and Methods: 60 female mice randomly divid ed into four groups, A-D. Each mouse had a 2 cm linear incision made o n the dorsal skin. Group A had povidone iodine ointment, and group B h ad ointment base applied for 7 days to the healing incision. Group C w ere given steroids for 7 days, and group D were allowed to heal withou t treatment. On Day 8, the strength of the incision was tested with an in vivo tensometer, and the hydroxyproline content of the incision wa s determined. Results: Using ANOVA and Fischer's LSD test (P<0.05), po vidone iodine as well as steroid groups had significantly reduced woun d strengths as compared to the controls and the group with ointment ba se. No significant difference in the hydroxyproline content was seen. Conclusions: Povidone iodine significantly reduces wound strength with out reducing the total hydroxyproline content of the wound.