Effects of Povidone-Iodine or Ethanol Exposure on Bone Formation at the Osteotomy Site of the Proximal Tibia in Rats

Background: Povidone-iodine (PVI) irrigation is currently used to decrease the frequency of postoperative surgical site infections. Ethanol (EtOH) is sometimes applied to prevent local recurrence after curettage of benign bone tumors. However, the effects of PVI and EtOH on surrounding soft tissue and on bone union are unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether PVI or EtOH adversely affects the cancellous bone healing of the osteotomy site at the proximal tibia in rats. Methods: A cancellous bone osteotomy was performed at the right proximal tibia in 4-month-old, female, Sprague Dawley rats. Vehicle, 10% PVI, or 95% EtOH-soaked gauze was inserted into the osteotomy site and maintained for 6 minutes. The rats were euthanized 2 or 4 weeks after the osteotomy. Results: Two weeks after treatment, the bone union rate was significantly higher in the vehicle group than in the PVI group and the EtOH group (p < 0.001). However, the bone union rate was not significantly different between the PVI and EtOH groups. There was no significant difference among the three groups in the bone union rate 4 weeks after treatment. Conclusion: PVI or EtOH delayed bone union of the cancellous bone osteotomy site of the proximal tibia in the early phase (2 weeks), but not at 4 weeks, in rats.