INTRODUCTION
Povidone-iodine (trade name Betadine, Purdue, Stamford,
NJ) is a widely used antiseptic regarded for its broad antimicrobial
spectrum, fast onset of action and favorable
safety profile. It consists of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) complexed
to iodine. Its antiseptic mechanism of action is due to
the iodination and oxidation by free iodine of various microbial
chemical structures.1 While rare, chemical burn is a recognized
complication of povidone-iodine use.3,5-12
CASE REPORT
An eight-year-old male was admitted to our institution for
a two-day history of abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. An
abdominal CT confirmed the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
The patient was taken to the operating room for a laparoscopic
appendectomy. Antibiotic prophylaxis with intravenous cefoxitin
(1 gram) was administered preoperatively. The patient was
placed in a supine position, the abdominal and suprapubic skin
was sterilized using a 10% povidone-iodine (PVP-I) solution and
the patient was draped with a sterile and nonabsorbent fabric.
The procedure lasted two hours. Immediately after surgery, the
patient complained of burning pain on his buttocks. The nursing
staff noted a brown stain consistent with PVP-I in the area
of discomfort. Noted on exam were well-demarcated patches
of dusky and blanching erythema on the bilateral buttocks,
inguinal region and scrotum with superimposed vesicles and
bullae (Figure 1). The patient had neither significant personal or
family history of dermatologic diseases nor prior history of exposure
or sensitization to PVP-I. Wound cultures were negative for bacteria and viruses. The diagnosis of partial thickness burn
secondary to irritant contact dermatitis from povidone-iodine
was made on the basis of the rapid appearance of the lesions
following surgery, the distinct geographic pattern of involvement
and the history of PVP-I staining in the affected areas.
The patient received topical supportive treatment with silver
sulfadiazine and AQUACEL hydrocolloid dressing (ConvaTec,
Skillman, NJ). During his five-day hospitalization, the patient
remained afebrile without progression of the lesions or involvement
of mucosal membranes. The patient was discharged with
a supportive home care regimen of Xeroform petrolatum impregnated
gauze (Kendall Healthcare, Mansfield, MA) for the
burn, as well as acetaminophen for pain. The patient subsequently
failed to show for follow up.
DISCUSSION
Polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVP-I)-commonly called povidone-
iodine (trade name Betadine)-is a widely used antiseptic
regarded for its broad antimicrobial spectrum and rapid onset
of action. It comes in several commercial preparations of which
the most commonly used are a 10% solution and a 7.5% scrub.
PVP-I consists of iodine (I2) complexed to polyvinylpyrrolidione
(PVP) and iodide (I-). A 10% PVP-I solution contains 90% water,
8.5% PVP, 1% iodine and 0.5% iodide. PVP is a hydrophilic
polymer that lacks intrinsic antimicrobial properties but rather
acts as a carrier for the iodine.1 The true microbicidal action of
the PVP-I solution comes from the free (i.e., not complexed to
PVP) iodine in the solution. In aqueous solutions, free iodine is
present as seven different species, including elemental iodine
