C. Rajasekaran, Sk. Roshakhi Sultana, N. J. Abineshwar, Rachitha Radhakrishnan
Abstract
Aims and objectives: This prospective study is aimed to evaluate the effect of vinegar (1% Acetic acid) in treatment of
wounds infected with Pseudomonas.
Methods: A total of 60 patients attending the OPD of Vinayaka Mission’s Kirupananda Variyar Medical College with any
wound and a positive culture report for Pseudomonas aeruginosa was included in our study after obtaining proper consent.
The following patients are randomised into two groups of 30. Group A (Test) was subjected to vinegar dressing (1% acetic
acid) once daily and Group B (Control) was subjected to normal saline dressing. Both groups did not receive enteral or
parenteral antibiotics throughout the period of study. Patients were followed up with wound cultures repeated on day 3,
7, and 14.
Results: The duration of treatment required to eliminate the Pseudomonas from the wounds in the acetic acid group was on
an average 7days less than that required by the saline group. P value was 0⋅001. This was a very significant factor.
Majority of the cultures tested negative after 7 days of treatment with acetic acid as compared to saline dressing
(p0.001) which is also statistically significant. The wounds also showed a marked reduction in wound size.
Conclusion: Vinegar (1%acetic acid) is a holy grail in the treatment of chronic wounds with P. Aeruginosa as it is
highly efficacious and a cost-effective alternative.
Keywords:
:Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 1% Acetic acid, Vinegar dressing, Saline dressing
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