Antiseptics, iodine, povidone iodine and traumatic wound cleansing.

Wound cleansing is an integral part of the management of acute traumatic wounds. There is consensus that it reduces infection rates. However, the choice of cleansing agent remains controversial, especially the use of antiseptics has been questioned. This article reviews the current literature on the use of antiseptics particularly povidine iodine in traumatic wound cleansing and discusses the beneficial and harmful effects of such practice.