Efficacy of adhesive incise drapes in preventing bacterial contamination of clean canine surgical wounds.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of adhesive incise drapes in reducing bacterial contamination of clean canine surgical wounds.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Dogs (n=100) having elective ovariohysterectomy or stifle surgery.


METHODS
Dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: drape or no drape. Swabs obtained from the inner edge of the surgical wound at the beginning (swab 1) and end (swab 2) of surgery were submitted for microbial culture. Number of colony forming units was counted for all positive cultures and change in bacterial counts between swabs 1 and 2 was calculated. Percentage adhesive drape adherence at the end of surgery was calculated from a digital photograph of the surgical site. duration of surgery/anesthesia and the anesthetic induction agent used were recorded.


RESULTS
There was a significant increase in bacterial counts between swabs 1 and 2 (P=.001). Wound contamination was 14% (6 drape; 8 no drape; P=0.78) with Staphylococcus spp. most commonly isolated. Median percentage drape adherence at the end of surgery was 89.3% (0-100%). Duration of anesthesia was significantly related to wound contamination (P=.013), but duration of surgery and anesthesia induction agent were not.


CONCLUSIONS
Adhesive incise drapes did not reduce wound contamination of clean canine surgical wounds.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of adhesive incise drapes in clean surgical procedures is of questionable benefit in dogs.
Owen
Laura J
LJ
Division of Companion Animal Science, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. lo247@cam.ac.uk
Gines
J Alberto
JA
Knowles
Toby G
TG
Holt
Peter E
PE
D000269:Adhesives; D000818:Animals; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D013264:Stifle / Q000601:surgery; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*
D000269:Adhesives