Antibacterial agents for wounds and burns in the developing world. Report on a workshop.

Publications on the use of antibacterial agents for wounds and burns in the developing world continue to emphasize the value of antiseptics such as Eusol and gentian violet. In the developed world these agents have been mostly discredited. A workshop organized by the European Society for Tissue Repair concluded that clearer instructions about the role of antibacterial agents in the management of wounds and burns could clarify appropriate usage. The report considers the factors contributing to infection and rationalizes the use of disinfectants, antiseptics and antibiotics, especially in the developing world.