Wound contamination and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria cultured during total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To detect contamination of wound sites from surgical handling of excised tissues during total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in dogs, and to compare susceptibility of bacterial isolates to cefazolin with susceptibility to other antimicrobial agents.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
13 dogs.


METHODS
Dogs were treated surgically for otitis externa and media via total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy. Specimens for aerobic bacterial culture were obtained from SC tissue immediately following skin incision, tissues excised from the osseous bulla (after transection of the horizontal ear canal and lateral bulla osteotomy), and from SC tissue prior to skin closure. Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates to various antibiotics was determined by use of a broth dilution assay.


RESULTS
There was a significant association between isolation of Streptococcus canis and Escherichia coli from specimens from the osseous bulla and specimens from the SC tissues prior to skin closure, indicating contamination of the SC tissues during surgery. Seventy percent of bacterial isolates were susceptible to cefazolin.


CONCLUSIONS
Measures to limit bacterial contamination resulting from tissue handling during total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy are necessary. Bacteriologic culture of tissue of the osseous bulla and determination of antimicrobial susceptibility are recommended. Administration of cefazolin alone may not be efficacious for antimicrobial prophylaxis.
Vogel
P L
PL
Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Komtebedde
J
J
Hirsh
D C
DC
Kass
P H
PH
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000494:pharmacology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000601:surgery*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D002437:Cefazolin