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Prevention of wound infections is a challenge in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB, polihexanide) 0.04% on acute traumatic wounds. It was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective trial which included 61 patients. The polihexanide group showed a significant decrease in log 10 colony-forming units (cfu) (P < 0.001) after 60 min treatment in comparison to baseline cfu, whereas the Ringer solution group did not show a significant change in cfu during 60 min treatment. Treatment of polihexanide 0.04% resulted in a significant reduction of bacterial load in acute traumatic wounds., (Copyright © 2017 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The essential role of wound antiseptics was discovered in the 18th century. Since then, many different procedures and substances have been developed and used for this indication. In the 1980s, polihexanide was introduced by Prof. Willenegger in Switzerland. Today, consensus recommendations confirm the potential of this substance for wound treatment. Various polihexanide-containing wound care products are available and these are now also gaining in importance throughout Europe and throughout the world., (Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.)