Tissue toxicity of antiseptics

Aim: Local antiseptics are used for desinfection of skin and for lavage of wounds. The aim of this study was. to determine the tissue toxicity of different antiseptics and to measure the irritation score (IS) and the irritation threshold (IT) for each substance. Method: The tissue compatibilities of Dibromol(R), Kodan(R), Jodobac(R), Octenisept(R), Lavasept(R) 0.2%, hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidindigluconate 0.5% and 2-propanol 60% were evaluated in the in vivo hens eggs chorion-allantoic membrane test (HET-CAM). Results: We found the most severe tissue toxicity for chlorhexidin digluconate 0.5% (IS 20) and Kodan(R) (IS 18). Irritating values were found for Dibromol(R) (IS 14), Octenisept(R) (IS 14) and 2-propanol 60% (IS 13). Moderate vascular injuries were caused by Jodobac(R) (IS 2). In the HET-CAM test Lavasept(R) 0.2% (IS 0) and hydrogen peroxide (IS 0) showed no tissue toxicity. Conclusion: Our results show that some of the tested antiseptics might cause severe vascular injuries as a sign of tissue toxicity. The tissue compatibility of Lavasept(R) 0.2% and hydrogen peroxide is much better than the compatibility of the other tested substances. With focus on the literature and our results, Lavasept(R) 0.2% can be recommended as the local antiseptic of choice.