Could a simple antiseptic wash beat chest infections without surgery?
NCT ID NCT05546762
First seen Jun 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether washing the infected chest cavity with povidone-iodine (an antiseptic) helps adults with pleural empyema recover faster than using normal saline alone. Participants receive chest tube drainage plus daily irrigation with either povidone-iodine or saline. The goal is to see if the antiseptic reduces inflammation and infection markers, potentially leading to quicker recovery and less need for surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- povidone-iodine solution
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this simple irrigation method could reduce the need for surgery and shorten hospital stays for people with pleural infections.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-phase study, so results may not apply broadly. Povidone-iodine could cause irritation or allergic reactions in some patients.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine
Alexandria, Egypt
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.