Background and Aim: Intravenous cannulation is the most common invasive procedure in hospitals. Phlebitis is the most frequent complication of intravenous therapy. We aimed to compare the effect of heparin ointment and hirudoid cream on treating intravenous catheter-induced superficial thrombophlebitis and multidrug infusions. Methodology: This prospective randomized study was conducted on 160 patients of both genders, above 18 years of age, who had superficial thrombophlebitis and had given informed consent, were randomly assigned into two groups: Group-A (Heparin ointment) and Group-B (Hirudoid cream). Heparin ointment or Hirudoid cream was applied thrice daily over the surface of the phlebitis lesion. Phlebitis grading was assessed for each patient from the first day of treatment to the seventh day of treatment or till the complete resolution of symptoms. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scale (VIP). Result: In the Heparin ointment group the mean VIP score after treatment was significantly lower (p=<0.001) than hirudoid cream group from day 3 to day 5. The quality of treatment was excellent in 77.5% of patients in the heparin group than 58.75% of patients in the hirudoid group (p=0.009). The mean duration of treatment days was significantly less p=<0.001 in the heparin group (5.79 days) compared to the hirudoid group (6.30 days). Conclusion: Heparin ointment administered topically thrice daily is better in comparison to Hirudoid cream application for treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis due to intravenous catheter insertion.

Background and Aim: Intravenous cannulation is the most common invasive procedure in hospitals. Phlebitis is the most frequent complication of intravenous therapy. We aimed to compare the effect of heparin ointment and hirudoid cream on treating intravenous catheter-induced superficial thrombophlebitis and multidrug infusions. Methodology: This prospective randomized study was conducted on 160 patients of both genders, above 18 years of age, who had superficial thrombophlebitis and had given informed consent, were randomly assigned into two groups: Group-A (Heparin ointment) and Group-B (Hirudoid cream). Heparin ointment or Hirudoid cream was applied thrice daily over the surface of the phlebitis lesion. Phlebitis grading was assessed for each patient from the first day of treatment to the seventh day of treatment or till the complete resolution of symptoms. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scale (VIP). Result: In the Heparin ointment group the mean VIP score after treatment was significantly lower (p=<0.001) than hirudoid cream group from day 3 to day 5. The quality of treatment was excellent in 77.5% of patients in the heparin group than 58.75% of patients in the hirudoid group (p=0.009). The mean duration of treatment days was significantly less p=<0.001 in the heparin group (5.79 days) compared to the hirudoid group (6.30 days). Conclusion: Heparin ointment administered topically thrice daily is better in comparison to Hirudoid cream application for treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis due to intravenous catheter insertion.