Antiseptic effect of povidone-iodine solution on abdominal skin during surgery and on thyroid-gland-related...

No definite guidelines have been published concerning the suitable exposure time and frequency of skin antisepsis of the operative field. In the present study, the antiseptic effect of a single use (single-application group) of 10% povidoneiodine solution for skin antisepsis was compared with its triple use (triple-application group). The exposure time was 2 min for both groups. Moreover, the effects on blood levels of total iodine and thyroid-gland-related substances were evaluated. High antiseptic efficacy was obtained in both groups, indicating that our antiseptic method to disinfect the operative field is effective. Slightly better results were obtained from the triple-application group, although the difference was not statistically significant. Blood levels of total iodine and thyroid-gland-related substances remained within the normal range in all cases. However, in cases receiving a large amount of 10% povidone-iodine solution a transient elevation in blood total iodine was observed. Thus, the 10% povidone-iodine solution is considered to be safe and effective for skin antisepsis of the operative field when applied repeatedly in a small amount per dose with an exposure time of about 2 min.