Comparison of Normal Saline and Povidone Iodine Peritoneal Lavage in Septic Peritonitis.

Introduction: Despite the advent of modern broad spectrum antibiotics many surgeons consider that a thorough povidone iodine wash of peritoneal cavity is required in patient with septic peritonitis. This study was undertaken to compare povidone iodine solution as antiseptic against normal saline alone for peritoneal lavage in patients undergoing surgery for septic peritonitis. Material & methods: This was a prospective comparative preliminary clinical study based on peritoneal lavage by Polyvinyl pyrrolidone Iodine (PVP-I) against NS in 40 cases of localised or generalised peritonitis encountered during emergency laparotomy performed at Smt S.C.L.Municipal General Hospital, Ahmedabad from 2008 to 2010. Data was collected so as to find out the incidence of post-operative pyrexia, post-operative wound infection and other complications, and duration of hospital stay, morbidity and mortality in both the groups. Result: In the present study, there was no statistically significance between PVP-I lavage group and NS lavage group when compared on the basis of post-operative pyrexia, past-operative wound infection and other complications, duration of hospital stay and morbidity-mortality. Conclusion: It may be concluded that there is no difference between peritoneal lavage by PVP-I solution or NS in patient outcome in septic peritonitis.