Povidone-Iodine Versus Chlorhexidine in Surgical Wound Care

Inclusion Criteria:

• Elderly patients undergoing surgical procedures resulting in iatrogenic wounds (surgical wounds of various specialties, such as abdominal, orthopedic,cardiovascular, etc.).

• Availability for follow-up during the postoperative period, ensuring attendance atmedical check-ups for the evaluation of healing and prevention of infections.

• Ability to provide informed consent, understanding the objectives, risks andbenefits of the study.

• Absence of previous infections at the surgical site, ensuring that the wounds arerecent and derived from the current surgical procedure.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known allergies or hypersensitivity to povidone iodine or chlorhexidine, to avoidrisks of serious adverse reactions.

• Immunocompromised patients, such as those with advanced HIV, on immunosuppressanttreatment, or with decompensated chronic diseases (poorly controlled diabetes,kidney failure, etc.), due to increased susceptibility to infections and alteredhealing.

• Patients with active infections or infected wounds prior to surgery, to avoidbiasing the results by pre-existing infections.

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding, due to safety considerations and the possible alterationof healing and immunity processes during these stages.

• Use of other antiseptics or topical treatments at the wound site that may interferewith the efficacy of povidone iodine or chlorhexidine.

• Patients with known wound healing disorders (such as autoimmune diseases orhematological disorders), which may affect the results in terms of healing time andquality.