Antiseptic lavage

Antiseptic lavage is a medical procedure used to clean and disinfect a wound or body cavity to prevent infection. It involves the irrigation or flushing of the affected area with an antiseptic solution to remove debris, bacteria, and other contaminants. Antiseptic lavage is commonly used in surgical settings, emergency rooms, and wound care management.

Procedure

The procedure of antiseptic lavage typically involves the following steps:

1. Preparation of the antiseptic solution: A suitable antiseptic solution, such as chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine, is prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Irrigation of the wound or body cavity: The antiseptic solution is gently flushed over the wound or into the body cavity using a syringe, bulb syringe, or specialized irrigation device.
3. Removal of debris and contaminants: The solution helps dislodge and remove debris, bacteria, and other contaminants from the area.
4. Repeat irrigation if necessary: In cases of heavily contaminated wounds or body cavities, multiple rounds of irrigation may be required to ensure thorough cleaning.
5. Drying and dressing: Once the area has been thoroughly irrigated, it is dried and dressed with appropriate wound care materials.

Indications

Antiseptic lavage is indicated in various clinical scenarios, including:

• Surgical site preparation: Before surgical procedures to reduce the risk of surgical site infections.
• Wound management: To clean and disinfect acute or chronic wounds, such as lacerations, abrasions, or ulcers.
• Emergency care: In cases of traumatic injuries or contaminated wounds to prevent infection.
• Catheter care: For cleaning and maintaining the hygiene of indwelling catheters or drainage tubes.

Complications

While antiseptic lavage is generally considered safe and effective, there are potential complications associated with the procedure, including:

• Irritation or allergic reactions to the antiseptic solution.
• Chemical burns or skin irritation if the solution is not properly diluted.
• Disruption of healthy tissue if the irrigation pressure is too high.
• Introduction of infection if the irrigation equipment is not properly sterilized.

References

• Antiseptic Lavage in Wound Management: A Review of Current Evidence, Journal of Wound Care, 2020.