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Background: Episiotomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in obstetrics performed in the second stage of labor. Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the effects of Alpha® Ointment in comparison with Betadine® solution on episiotomy healing process. Methods: The present single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 128 eligible women admitted to a university affiliated hospital in Karaj, Iran, in 2015. The subjects were divided into a case group (getting an Alpha® Ointment plus a sitz bath with Betadine® solution) and a control group (getting a sitz bath with Betadine® solution). After delivery, the mothers applied 2 g of Alpha® Ointment on their episiotomy site three times a day. The REEDA scale was used to assess the wound healing process, and the intensity of pain was assessed by measuring pain in the first 24 hours as well as the third and seventh day after delivery. Results: In the first 24 hours after delivery, the two groups were not significantly different in terms of their repair score (P = 0.27), however, the mean REEDA score was 0.25 ± 0.53 on the third day and 0.203 ± 0.47 on the seventh day in the case group, while in the control group, it was 1.32 ± 1.4 and 0.92 ± 1.17, suggesting a significant difference between the groups (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Alpha® Ointment is more effective than Betadine® solution for episiotomy wound healing and pain reduction and can, therefore, be regarded as an appropriate medication for episiotomy wound healing. © 2018, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare two techniques for surgical site skin preparation in hand surgery. Methods: We compared the standard sponge paint technique versus a plastic bag immersion technique using a 10% povidone–iodine with alcohol solution (Betadine, ORION Laboratories Pty Ltd, Balcatta, WA, Australia) to prepare surgical site skin for hand surgery. This sterile bag rubbing technique involves using a sterile plastic bag filled with 60 mL of Betadine solution to immerse the subjects' hand. Samples were taken from 10 subjects for bacteria colony-forming unit (CFU) counts before and 3 min after surgical site preparation in each group. Outcome measures were preparation time and CFU reduction with a plate impression test using commercially available agar slides. Results: The sterile bag rubbing technique significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) the time required for surgical site skin preparation (28 s) compared with the standard technique (86 s). Both techniques were found to have similar efficacy in the reduction of CFU. Conclusions: The sterile bag rubbing technique is a quicker alternative method for surgical site preparation in hand surgery and has comparable efficacy to the widely practised standard paint-on technique.

Aim. To study the effectiveness of a universal antiseptic Betadine (international nonproprietary name - povidone-iodine) in the treatment of pustular skin diseases. Methods. The study had the form of an open, non-comparative one, which involved 25 patients aged from 2.5 to 40 years (mean age 16.1±1.2 years) with disease duration from 1 to 7 days (mean 4.2±0.8) with various forms of pyoderma: 21 patients with streptococcal impetigo and 4 patients with folliculitis. Assessment of safety of the study was carried out on the basis of clinical and laboratory data, patient tolerability of the substance, the expert-opinion of the physician-researcher. Changes in the quality of life as a result of treatment of patients with pyoderma using Betadine solution was evaluated by a questionnaire SKINDEKS-29. Results. All patients willing used the proposed betadine solution. No reasons for discontinuation of treatment during the study (including side effects, allergic reactions or exacerbation of the cutaneous process) were identified. Deterioration of the quality of life on the «Emotions» scale of SKINDEKS-29 questionnaire at the beginning of treatment was 49.8±1.3 points («sometimes»), during the second visit - 26.8±0.9 points («rarely»), by the end of treatment (third visit) - 10.2±0.3 points («no»); on a scale of «Function» at the beginning of treatment - 77.8±1.8 («often»), during the second visit - 53.2±1.6 («sometimes»), by the end of treatment - 16.2±0.8 points («no»); on a scale of «Symptoms» at the beginning of treatment - 51.2±1.3 («sometimes»), during the second visit - 27.6±2.8 («rarely»), by the end of treatment - 12.3±0.3 points («no»). Conclusion. Betadine is characterized by high clinical efficacy in pustular skin diseases, good tolerance, absence of adverse reactions, a positive impact on the quality of life and can be recommended as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent.

Background: Universally accepted fixative is 10% formalin which has been used for preserving the tissues and their architecture. In certain conditions, formalin might not be readily available for immediate fixation. We here by explore more economical, ecofriendly and easily available solutions that can be used as transit media/ transporting media for tissue specimens. Materials and Methods: The study included commonly available solutions like Spirit, Saline, Betadine solution, Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), Local anesthesia (L.A), Rose water, Coconut oil, Coconut water, Ice cold water, Honey and Milk while keeping formalin as control. The fresh tissue sample was cut into multiple bits and placed in different containers for a period of 8 hours before transferring to formalin solution. Conclusion: Transit fixatives are very important in certain situa tions where formalin is not readily available. These fixatives can be used to fix the tissues for a period of at least 8 hours without causing any damage or distortion before they are fixed in formalin solution.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare two techniques for surgical site skin preparation in hand surgery. Methods: We compared the standard sponge paint technique versus a plastic bag immersion technique using a 10% povidone iodine with alcohol solution (Betadine) to prepare surgical site skin for hand surgery. This plastic bag immersion technique involves using a sterile plastic bag filled with 60 ml of Betadine solution to immerse the subjects’ hand. Samples were taken from ten subjects for bacteria colony forming unit (CFU) counts before and three minutes after surgical site preparation in each group. Outcome measures were preparation time and CFU reduction with a finger impression test using commercially available agar slides. Results: The plastic bag immersion technique significantly reduced (p < 0.0001) the time required for surgical site skin preparation (28 seconds) compared to the standard technique (86 seconds). Both techniques were found to have similar efficacy in the reduction of CFU. Discussion: The plastic bag immersion technique is a quicker alternative method for surgical site preparation in hand surgery and has comparable efficacy to the widely practiced standard paint-on technique. This technique can be applied across the disciplines of orthopaedic, plastic and vascular surgery involving the hand.

Infection has been described as "the cardinal problem in the treatment of burns… [causing] conversion of 2° burns to 3° burns," 1 and as creating the "greatest threat to survival." 2 Fatal septicemia resulting from local infection can best be avoided by preventing development of the infection. Because of the avascular condition of the wound, control of infection generally requires topical antiseptic treatment. 3 In our pediatric surgical practice we have treated many burn patients and have used a variety of topical antiseptics with both the open and closed techniques, prior to developing a routine procedure acceptable to the two general hospitals in the area. On the basis of experience and clinical judgment, we now prefer povidone-iodine (Betadine Solution and Betadine Aerosol Spray) ∗ ∗Betadine Solution contains 10% povidone-iodine (yielding 1% available iodine) and Betadine Aerosol Spray contains 5% pocidone-iodine (yielding 0.5% available iodine), The Purdue Frederick Co., Yonkers, N.Y. with an open technique for the prevention of local infection. This paper examines a decade of accumulated data in an effort to evaluate objectively the validity of our clinical judgment.

Summary A new method of surgical preparation of hands with pHisoHex and Betadine Solution was evaluated in thirteen subjects. The results indicate that the pulsating water jet device is effective in surgical preparation of hands. The immediate disinfecting effect of Betadine Solution is greater than that of pHisoHex. Two hours post scrub, however, no significant differences in bacterial counts on hands treated with the two preparations are evident.

To the Editor.— In a Letter to the Editor, Schuster et al 1 suggested that iodophors such as povidone-iodine (Betadine) can "reasonably" be expected to inactivate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), also known as human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type III. The authors urged that compounds such as iodophors, which are "used almost universally for personal and patient disinfection," be evaluated for eradication of HIV before turning attention to ionizing radiation and other agents. In response to Schuster and colleagues as well as to many other infection control practitioners who have shown a continuing and extensive interest in this topic, we supported an in vitro study that evaluated the use of Betadine solution (10% povidone-iodine) and Betadine surgical scrub (7.5% povidone-iodine) in the inactivation of HIV. The study was conducted in the Infectious Disease Unit of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, by Robert T. Schooley, MD, and associates and was recently completed. (The