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Comparative evaluation of two surgical scrub preparations in cattle
A Desrochers1, G St-Jean, D E Anderson
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA.
Veterinary Surgery : VS
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Both povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine skin preparations effectively reduce bacterial counts in cattle before surgery. Chlorhexidine achieved lower bacterial counts immediately after preparation, but neither method impacted postoperative wound infection rates.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Preoperative skin preparation is crucial for minimizing surgical site infections in cattle.
- Povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine are commonly used antiseptics for surgical skin preparation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine preoperative skin preparation protocols in reducing bacterial contamination in cattle.
- To evaluate the impact of these protocols on postoperative wound infection rates.
Main Methods:
- One hundred seventeen cattle undergoing surgery were randomly assigned to two groups.
- Group 1 received povidone-iodine soap and isopropyl alcohol; Group 2 received chlorhexidine gluconate and isopropyl alcohol.
- Quantitative microbial cultures (colony forming units - CFUs) were performed pre- and post-skin preparation, post-surgery, and on environmental samples.
Main Results:
- Both protocols significantly reduced CFUs post-skin preparation (P < .05).
- Chlorhexidine-alcohol preparation yielded significantly fewer CFUs (2.79 +/- 1.74) and a higher reduction percentage (98.64% +/- 2.01) compared to povidone-iodine-alcohol (10.27 CFUs +/- 1.51, 93.29% +/- 1.85) (P < .005).
- Postoperative CFUs and wound infection rates were not significantly different between groups, although ventral abdominal surgeries had higher infection rates.
Conclusions:
- Both povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine skin preparation protocols are effective and safe for reducing skin microflora in cattle prior to surgery.
- While chlorhexidine demonstrated superior immediate post-preparation bacterial reduction, this did not translate to a significant difference in surgical wound infection frequency.