Study: Surgical Site Infections Not Always Bacteria-Related – Horse Racing News

While bacterial contamination can cause infection at a surgery site, a study from the University of Liverpool in England suggests that bacteria may not always be to blame for surgical site infections after a colic surgery. 

A team of scientists sampled skin from the midline of 31 horses prior to colic surgery, during the surgery, and every 48 hours after surgery until the horses were discharged. All samples were then cultured for bacteria. The researchers found that the presence of bacteria on the skin taken from the midline during or immediately after surgery did not indicate a greater likelihood of surgical site infection. The type of bacteria found on the skin also did not indicate that an infection was forthcoming. 

The scientists found that only seven of the horses (22.6 percent) developed surgical site infections. In each of these horses, either no bacteria was identified during surgery or the type of bacteria found on the skin was different than the type of bacteria found in the incision’s infection. 

In several horses, no infection developed, though the presence of bacteria was found on the incision either during or right after surgery. 

The team concludes that infection development at the surgical site is not solely related to bacteria on the midline during or immediately after surgery. They suggest additional investigation to better understand what causes surgical site infections.

Read more at EQUUS magazine.