Use of sugar and povidone-iodine to enhance wound healing: five year's experience.

Over a 56-month period (January 1976 to August 1980), we treated 605 patients for wounds, burns, and ulcers with granulated sugar and povidone-iodine. Rapid healing ensued, due to a reduction in bacterial contamination, rapid debridement of eschar, probable nourishment of surface cells, filling of defects with granulation tissue, and covering of granulation tissue with epithelium. The requirements for skin grafting and antibiotics were greatly reduced, as were hospital costs for wound, burn, and ulcer care.