Bacterial culturing of ventral median celiotomies for prediction of postoperative incisional complications in horses.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether detection of bacterial contamination of ventral midline incisions was predictive of postoperative incisional complications in horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Horses that had ventral median celiotomies for colic at Colorado State University between May 1, 1991 and April 30, 1993 were studied prospectively. Complete information was obtained on 66 horses.


METHODS
Bacterial cultures were obtained from ventral midline incisions at surgery. Information regarding the type of surgery performed (celiotomy vs celiotomy plus enterotomy or enterectomy), preoperative total nucleated cells and presence of a left shift, postoperative fever (> 38.5 degrees C), incisional drainage, incisional herniation, and outcome were obtained from medical records. Additional information concerning incisional drainage, herniation, and survival was obtained at a minimum of 18 months after surgery.


RESULTS
Examination of odds ratio (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) revealed that a celiotomy plus enterotomy or enterectomy was positively, but not significantly, associated (OR > 1) with positive culture results, presence of incisional drainage and incisional herniation. A significant association between incisional drainage and hernia formation was found; odds of incisional herniation were 62.5 times greater in horses that had incisional drainage. Incisional drainage and herniation were negatively associated with patient survival. The later association was significant (OR = 0.18, P = .04).


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicated that detection of bacterial contamination at incisional closure by the swab culture technique was not beneficial in the prediction of postoperative incisional problems in horses undergoing colic surgery. Incisional drainage or infection appeared to be associated with hernia formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Immediate treatment of incisional drainage or method to prevent incisional infections may decrease hernia formation.
Ingle-Fehr
J E
JE
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
Baxter
G M
GM
Howard
R D
RD
Trotter
G W
GW
Stashak
T S
TS
D000005:Abdomen / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D006547:Hernia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006736:Horses; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*