A trial of povidone-iodine ointment for the prevention of cannula thrombophlebitis.

The efficacy of povidone-iodine ointment in the prevention of cannula thrombophlebitis was assessed in a prospective controlled study of 100 consecutive patients. Thrombophlebitis was evaluated clinically, and in addition all cannulae were cultured, semi-quantitatively and by the conventional broth technique, to detect any bacterial colonization. The incidence of thrombophlebitis was slightly higher in the test than in the control group. It is concluded that the use of povidone-iodine ointment for prophylaxis does not reduce the incidence of cannula thrombophlebitis. There was no significant association between the incidence of thrombophlebitis and cannula colonization as measured by either the semi-quantitative technique or the conventional broth technique.