title: Scalpel blade contamination with skin bacteria during orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures in dogs.
abstract: Skin incision and internal incision scalpel blades used during 40 clean canine orthopedic or neurologic operations were cultured. A biopsy of skin was taken from the incision edge and cultured aerobically and anaerobically. Culture of five skin blades, eight skin biopsies, and nine deep dissection blades resulted in bacterial growth. Results indicate that the skin blade does not add significantly to bacterial inoculum contaminating clean wounds.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000662:veterinary*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents