Prontosan is a wound cleansing agent that contains Polyhexamethylene biguanide and Betaine, suitable for use on acute and chronic wounds. The Prontosan wound irrigation solution and Prontosan gel are safe and easy to use, applied to the wound to moisturize, disinfect, and remove necrotic tissue and biofilm.
1. Uses of Prontosan
The Prontosan wound cleansing solution is effective for cleaning, helping to remove barriers to the wound healing process.
Chronic skin wounds often have a layer of scab, necrotic tissue, and biofilm covering them; these layers can delay wound healing. Acute wounds are often contaminated with foreign bodies and microorganisms, which require proper cleaning. If the pathogens in the wound are not removed, they can form a biofilm that affects the healing process, leading to complications such as infections.
Prontosan is the ideal solution to prevent biofilm formation, with two main components:
- Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), an antimicrobial agent (0.1%)
- Betaine, a surfactant (0.1%)
Polyhexamethylene biguanide is a synthetic compound with antibacterial activity that is widely used. It is believed to work by disrupting the lipopolysaccharide layer of bacterial cell membranes to kill bacteria. At the same time, the active ingredient Polyhexamethylene affects proteins, inactivating them and preventing DNA synthesis. This helps to easily eliminate microorganisms.
The surfactant Betadine, with its low surface tension, easily penetrates deep into the tissue, helping to clean and remove cellular debris, dirt, and biofilm. As a result, Prontosan adheres well, penetrates deeper, and increases antibacterial effectiveness. Additionally, Betadine has the ability to disrupt biofilm, further aiding in wound cleaning.
2. Is Prontosan safe?
Prontosan inhibits bacterial growth at the lowest concentrations and has low cytotoxicity at higher concentrations. It has no adverse effects on fibroblast proliferation (cells important for the wound healing process) at any concentration.
The Prontosan wound cleansing solution has a low potential for causing allergies and can be used on sensitive or irritated skin. Both the Prontosan wound cleansing solution and Prontosan Gel are sterile, colorless, and odorless products.
Unlike systemic antibiotics, Prontosan does not interfere with the microbiota in other parts of the body, such as the intestines. Prontosan can be used as an alternative to prophylactic antibiotics in postoperative wounds to prevent surgical site infections.
3. When is Prontosan indicated?
The primary indication for the Prontosan wound cleansing solution is to clean, disinfect, moisturize, and assist in the removal of excess exudate and debris, helping to prevent biofilm formation. Prontosan is indicated in the following cases:
- For cleaning, disinfecting, and moisturizing: Acute wounds, both infected and non-infected: wounds from trauma, such as lacerations, bites, cuts on the skin, or contusions; postoperative wounds; Chronic wounds, both infected and non-infected: pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers; First and second-degree burns; chemical burns; Wounds following radiation therapy; Fistulas and abscesses; Entry sites for ureteral catheters, PEG/PEJ tubes, or drainage tubes; Skin surrounding artificial anus openings.
- For cleaning and irrigating wounds during surgery.
- For instilling the wound cleansing solution in conjunction with negative pressure therapy.
- To moisten hardened dressings before removal.
4. When is Prontosan contraindicated?
- Prontosan should not be used in patients with known or suspected allergies to Betaine, Polyhexamethylene biguanide, or any component of the product.
- It is contraindicated for use on the central nervous system or meninges, middle or inner ear, and eyes.
- It is also contraindicated for use on hyaline cartilage during surgery. If Prontosan comes into direct contact with hyaline cartilage, it should be immediately rinsed with Ringer's solution or normal saline.
- Prontosan wound cleansing solution should not be combined with other wound cleansers or ointments such as anionic surfactants, detergents, ointments, oils, or enzymes. These substances should be completely removed from the wound before using Prontosan.
5. How to use Prontosan normally
It is best to use the Prontosan wound cleansing solution to clean the wound before treating it with Prontosan Gel. If necessary, the Prontosan wound cleansing solution can be warmed to body temperature before use. Use the wound cleansing solution in its undiluted form.
Old dressings are often hardened and may stick to the wound surface. Removing these dressings can damage the wound bed, slowing the healing process. You can use the Prontosan wound cleansing solution to moisten the old dressing until it can be easily removed.
The entire wound and the surrounding skin area need to be thoroughly cleaned with the Prontosan wound cleansing solution to wash away debris on the surface and disinfect.
For minor and acute wounds, using the Prontosan wound cleansing solution alone may be sufficient.
For wounds on large or hard-to-reach areas of skin, it is best to use a dressing moistened with the Prontosan solution applied to the wound for about 15 minutes. Afterward, you can gently wipe the wound area and surrounding skin with a dressing soaked in Prontosan, which helps to easily remove necrotic tissue, contaminants on the surface, and biofilm.
The Prontosan wound cleansing solution should be used regularly to achieve and maintain a visibly clean wound.
You may only need to use the Prontosan wound cleansing solution, but for the best results, it is recommended to use it in conjunction with Prontosan Gel. This helps to continue cleaning and disinfecting the wound while keeping it moist until the next dressing change. Prontosan Gel can be applied directly to the wound, filling any cavities, or the dressing can be moistened with the gel before use.
6. Some notes when using Prontosan
Initially, it is best to use Prontosan daily. The Prontosan wound cleansing solution is primarily used to remove debris from the surface. Therefore, Prontosan can be used for an extended period as a preventive treatment or until the wound shows signs of healing and there are no further signs of local infection.
Pregnant Women: Currently, there is no evidence of toxicity to the fetus or mutagenicity related to the components in the Prontosan wound cleansing solution. However, there is still a lack of clinical experience regarding its use in this population, so it should only be used after consulting a physician.
Breastfeeding women: Due to the lack of systemic reabsorption of Polyhexanide, there is no potential for transmission through breast milk. Currently, there is a lack of trials and clinical experience using it in breastfeeding women, so the Prontosan solution should be used after careful medical consultation.
Infants and young cildren: The Prontosan wound cleansing solution should be used selectively and under close supervision by healthcare professionals for infants and young children.
The Prontosan wound cleansing solution is a preservative product with a shelf life of 8 weeks after opening. Close the cap immediately after use to avoid contamination, especially protecting the tip of the bottle. If the bottle comes into direct contact with the wound or becomes contaminated, the solution should be discarded.
Prontosan is a safe and effective method for supporting wound cleaning. Due to its good clinical safety, minimal cytotoxicity, and no evidence of bacterial resistance to its components, Prontosan is widely used for cleaning and disinfecting acute and chronic wounds, as well as postoperative wounds.
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