Efficacy of various wound irrigation solutions against biofilms.

The effectiveness of solutions applied for wound cleansing in clinical practice was evaluated by means of the Biofilmyl® method. This method permits the exact quantification of biofilms using endotoxins released from bacterial cell walls. First, biofilm test specimens were cultivated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa on silicone surfaces. Subsequently, in separate test series, the specimens were exposed to three different irrigants for 24 h each: a) normal saline solution, b) Ringer’s solution, c) surfactant polyhexanide solution (Prontosan® Wound Irrigation Solution). Results The results showed no decrease in the original biofilm load after exposure to normal saline solution as well as Ringer’s solution, while the surfactant polyhexanide solution (Prontosan® Wound Irrigation Solution) achieved a significant reduction (p<0.001) of the biofilm by 87%. Conclusion Using the Biofmyl® method, Prontosan® Wound Irrigation Solution shows a better reduction of biofilm when compared to normal saline and Ringer’s solution. Prontosan®