Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
Evaluation of 10% Iodopovidone Solution And 0.5% Chlorhexidine Digluconate in the Decontamination and Cell Viability of Flexor Tendon Grafts After Contamination. An Experimental Study
By M.S. Navarro, A. Kusabara, B.V.D.A. Mascarenhas and 3 others.
Abstract
Objectives
To evaluate tissue autolysis, bacterial colony growth, and inflammatory tissue reaction in knee flexor tendon graft samples after contamination and decontamination using 10% iodopovidone solution (PVP-I) and 0.5% chlorhexidine digluconate.
Methods
A total of 105 graft samples were obtained from surplus flexor tendon tissue collected during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in 21 patients. The excess graft tissue, routinely discarded after surgery, was divided into five samples per procedure. Contamination was performed by contact with the operating room floor. The samples were distributed into five groups: Group I (control), submitted directly to histological analysis; Group II, decontaminated with PVP-I for 2 minutes; Group III, decontaminated with PVP-I for 5 minutes; Group IV, decontaminated with chlorhexidine for 2 minutes; and Group V, decontaminated with chlorhexidine for 5 minutes. All samples underwent histopathological analysis for bacterial colony count, tissue inflammatory response, and degree of tissue autolysis.