Povidone-lodine (Betadine) Irrigation for Prevention of Breast Surgical Site Infections

Grant Application

Erin Bayley, MD, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital

Proposed Innovation

Surgical site infections following breast surgery are common, affecting up to 30% of patients despite the use of preoperative prophylactic antibiotics. Symptoms can range from localized redness and pain to more severe breast abscesses in the surgical cavity. These may require aspiration and drainage, or hospitalization for administration of intravenous antibiotics. Severe infections may even require long-term wound care.

This project will study the effectiveness of washing the surgical area with a common antiseptic solution prior to closure as a means of preventing infections.

Improvements in Action

This pilot project will focus on breast surgical oncology patients undergoing a lumpectomy (partial mastectomy or excisional breast biopsy) and/or sentinel lymph node biopsy without reconstruction at UPMC Magee and affiliate sites. A 10% povidone-iodine solution will be used to irrigate the breast surgical cavity for 60 seconds prior to wound closure.

Povidone-iodine, commonly known as Betadine, irrigation has proven to be effective in reducing surgical site infections. The solution is inexpensive, readily available, and does not require special equipment or complex techniques to use. This project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of povidone-iodine irrigation of the surgical cavity in reducing complications for breast surgery patients.

Intended Outcomes

This project has the potential to significantly improve care and outcomes for breast surgery patients at UPMC Magee. The pilot is expected to show that use of povidone-iodine irrigation prior to wound closure will reduce the need for postoperative antibiotics, hospital admission, and additional procedures — resulting in a substantial cost and time savings for patients and hospital systems. This technique also is easily expandable to other facilities and across surgical disciplines with the potential to impact exponentially more patients undergoing surgery at centers beyond Pittsburgh and UPMC.