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ABSTRACT: Objective
This prospective observation sought to determine if scalpel blades used for abdominal skin incisions in dogs are a significant source of bacterial contamination, and if these blades should be changed prior to use in deeper dissection.Results
Scalpel blades were swabbed for culture prior to skin incision as a control, and then again following ventral midline abdominal skin incision in a total of 75 dogs. Culture and sensitivity results were compared with review of medical records for any evidence of pre- or postoperative incisional surgical site infection/inflammation (SSI). Of the 75 blades swabbed after skin incision, only 2 (2.7%) had positive culture results. Of the 69 patients that survived to suture removal, there was evidence of SSI in 6 patients (8.7%), only one of which had a positive scalpel blade culture (16.7%). Neither the use of postoperative antibiotics nor positive scalpel blade culture results were good predictors of whether a patient would develop a SSI. Results of this pilot study suggest that there is no bacteriological evidence to support the use of a separate blade for deep dissection in routine surgical procedures.
SUBMITTER: Lioce CG
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6659296 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Lioce Christina G CG Davis Elizabeth C EC Bennett Julie W JW Townsend Forrest I FI Bloch Christopher P CP
BMC research notes 20190725 1
<h4>Objective</h4>This prospective observation sought to determine if scalpel blades used for abdominal skin incisions in dogs are a significant source of bacterial contamination, and if these blades should be changed prior to use in deeper dissection.<h4>Results</h4>Scalpel blades were swabbed for culture prior to skin incision as a control, and then again following ventral midline abdominal skin incision in a total of 75 dogs. Culture and sensitivity results were compared with review of medica ...[more]