PRELIMINARY STUDY ON EVALUATION OF THE INTRAOPERATIVE BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF THE SURGICAL WOUND IN SMALL ANIMALS

Abstract

The intraoperative contamination of the surgical wound is a veterinary issue as it is closely related to surgical practices. It can originate from the patient’s endogenous flora, from the breakage of the sterility barrier or from the surrounding environment. This study aimed to assess the incidence, associated factors and bacteria isolated from 64 surgical wounds in dogs and cats that underwent surgery. It was also evaluated the influence of two different types of incisional surgical drapes, with and without Betadine®, for the control and the protection of the surgical site. It was found that, at the end of the surgery, 54% of the surgical wounds were contaminated and it was also demonstrated that adhesive surgical drapes play a crucial role in reducing the percentage of contamination. The most frequently isolated bacteria were: Staphylococcus spp., Gram-negative, oxidases-positive and bacilli. Therefore, according to these results, a thorough analysis of the risk factors and the development of innovative techniques and instruments are necessary to maintain the intraoperative bacterial load at sub-pathogenic levels.