Antisepsys and profilatic antimicrobial therapy in prevention of surgical site infection of horses

Abstract

The efficacy of an antisepsis protocol comprising chlorhexidine gluconate and ethyl alcohol in combination with prophylactic antimicrobial therapy in controlling surgical site infection in horses was studied. To that purpose, seven mixed breed horses received potassium penicillin and gentamicin at least 30 minutes prior to surgery. The surgical site was scrubbed with chlorhexidine gluconate and rinsed with ethyl alcohol. Samples were collected at four time points: (A) - before and (B) - immediately following shaving of the hair coat, (C) - at the end of antisepsis procedures, and (D) - at the end of the surgical procedure. Duration of surgery was recorded. Samples were cultured in three different culture mediums: Mitis Salivarus (Streptococcus sp.), Staphylococcus 110 (Staphylococcus sp.), and Mac Conkey (Enterobacteria). A high level of bacterial growth was observed in all culture mediums at (A) and (B), with no bacterial growth in (C). Staphylococcus sp. growth was observed in (D) in a single patient whose surgical procedure lasted for 120 minutes. Shaving of the hair coat reduced microbial flora on the surface of the skin. Antisepsis in combination with prophylactic antimicrobial therapy was effective in controlling surgical site infection in elective procedures with an average duration of 90 minutes.

Glyceryl guaiacol ether for sedation of horses undergoing orchiectomy when standing

“…The absence of deaths is expected in animals classified in ASA I (Deutsch and Taylor, 2021). The non-occurrence of postoperative infections is probably due to the antibiotic prophylaxis protocol used, as well as the fact that they are elective surgical procedures (Canola et al, 2020).…”

Clinical and surgical approach to umbilical disorders in calves - literature review

“…To prevent contamination of the abdominal cavity, excision of the infected parts should be conducted meticulously, with the area covered with a surgical glove or compression employed (Figures 6B and 6C). In cases where umbilical vein infection reaches the liver parenchyma and forms an abscess, vein marsupialization is recommended (Marchionatti et al, 2016;Canola et al, 2020).…”

“…Vein suturing to the abdominal wall is performed in three layers using little tension, with the rectus abdominis sheath and subcutaneous tissue sutured to the vein wall in two layers, using 2-0 absorbable sutures. However, the skin is sutured to the vein wall using a nonabsorbable 2-0 suture and the simple interrupted pattern technique (Marchionatti et al, 2016;Canola et al, 2020).…”

“…To stimulate drainage of the exudate, the lumen of the marsupialized vein requires washing every day using a 20 mL syringe with saline or iodinated solution. Systemic antibiotics must be administered, and the patient's owner must be informed that a second surgery may be necessary to resect the vein and close the marsupium (Marchionatti et al, 2016;Canola et al, 2020).…”

“…In the event of urachal disorders, namely urachal abscesses, cysts, and persistent urachus, ultrasonography is a proven and useful technique that enables the surgeon to select the best surgical treatment option (Sato et al, 2019). Incisions made in the umbilicus and peri-umbilical regions, which are extended caudally, facilitate access to the urachus to the point of insertion into the bladder, enabling the surgeon to explore and correct this structure (Figures 6B and 6C) (Canola et al, 2020). For surgical intervention of the urachus, the bladder must be fully empty and maintained to prevent the surgical field from being contaminated with urine.…”