Povidone K25 5% eye drops 0.4ml unit dose preservative free

BackgroundSurgical site infections represent a prevalent postoperative complication, significantly impacting patient safety and increasing the burden on healthcare resources. As a key measure for preventing these infections, preoperative skin antisepsis plays a crucial role. However, current meta-analyses and international guidelines have yet to reach a unified agreement on the optimal type and concentration of antiseptic preparation. This study aims to compare the efficacy of chlorhexidine in alcohol and aqueous povidone-iodine in preventing surgical site infections through systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the preoperative skin antisepsis effects of chlorhexidine in alcohol and aqueous povidone-iodine up to May 31, 2025. The primary outcome was the incidence of surgical site infections, while secondary outcomes included adverse events. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to chlorhexidine concentration, wound classification, and surgical category. The meta-analysis was conducted using R software, with a statistical threshold of P ResultsThe meta-analysis included 17 RCTs involving 13,737 patients. The results revealed that chlorhexidine in alcohol was significantly more effective than aqueous povidone-iodine in preventing surgical site infections (RR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73-0.95, P ConclusionCompared with aqueous povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine in alcohol was associated with a lower risk of surgical site infections, particularly in non-clean surgery and at chlorhexidine concentrations of 2.0%-2.5%.

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Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) frequently complicates advanced cancer and impairs quality of life. Chemical pleurodesis with agents such as bleomycin or povidone iodine is widely used, but comparative efficacy and safety remain uncertain. Bleomycin is an established agent but is costly and less available, whereas povidone iodine is affordable and easily accessible. This study aimed to systematically compare the efficacy and safety of bleomycin versus povidone iodine for pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusions. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Semantic Scholar, and the Google Scholar were searched through May 20 th 2025. Studies included randomized controlled trials and cohort studies comparing bleomycin and povidone iodine for pleurodesis in patients with MPE. Seven studies with 392 patients (174 in the povidone iodine group, 218 in the bleomycin group) were included. Success rates for pleurodesis ranged from 71.1% to 100% for povidone iodine and 66.7% to 95.2% for bleomycin. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference in efficacy (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.94–1.15, p = 0.50; I 2 = 43%). Both agents were well tolerated, with similar rates of mild adverse events. This study showed no significant bias. Povidone iodine and bleomycin are equally effective and safe for pleurodesis in MPE. Given its lower cost and greater accessibility, povidone iodine may be preferred, especially in resource-limited settings.

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PurposeThis study aims to provide a meta-analysis of relevant outcomes related to various sclerosant agents used in percutaneous lymphocele sclerotherapy.Materials and methodsA systematic review, registered on PROSPERO (Record CRD420251180687), was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, including studies reporting any kind of postoperative lymphoceles treated with a sclerosant agent. Searches were updated to November 2025. Pooled success, recurrence, and complication rates were estimated for each sclerosant agent, and differences across agents were explored. The risk of bias was assessed using Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies, while the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation.ResultsSixteen studies were included-fifteen retrospective and one prospective-reporting on different sclerosant agents: ethanol, povidone-iodine, OK-432, fibrin glue, polidocanol, and doxycycline. A total of 335 lymphoceles were studied. Ethanol showed the most consistent results, with high clinical success (97.4%, 95% CI 82.6-99.7%) and low recurrence rates across the studies (6.7%, 95% CI 3.1-14.2%). The other sclerosant agents yielded similar results but with a lower grade of evidence certainty. Minor complication rates were low (12.2%), consisting predominantly of mild and self-limiting adverse events; only two major complications were reported. Limitations were heterogeneity among studies and predominance of retrospective designs.ConclusionsPercutaneous sclerotherapy yielded favorable results with all agents; however, ethanol is the best-characterized agent, with consistent outcomes and moderate certainty of evidence. High-quality, prospective research is needed in order to choose the best sclerosant agent and standardize the procedure.Level of evidenceLevel IV, systematic review of retrospective non-comparative studies.

Abstract licence: CC BY