Comparison of two antimicrobial regimens on the prevalence of incisional infections after colic surgery.

This study investigated the effectiveness of two lengths of antimicrobial therapy, 72 hours and 120 hours, on reducing the incidence of post-surgery infections in horses undergoing abdominal surgery. The results indicate that the length of therapy does not significantly affect the rate of surgical site infections.

Study Overview

• The research was aimed at addressing the controversial issue of optimal durations of antimicrobial therapy post exploratory coeliotomy in horses.
• With an aim to use antibiotics for the shortest time possible due to the increasing prevalence of multiresistant bacteria, the researchers were interested in verifying if a shorter therapy regimen could be just as effective at preventing the onset of postoperative incisional infections.
• The comparison in the study was drawn between two therapy durations: 72 hours (short duration) and 120 hours (long duration).

Methodology

• Horses undergoing the mentioned surgery at two referral hospitals were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 (42 horses) received 72 hours of antimicrobial therapy, while Group 2 (50 horses) received 120 hours of therapy.
• The study criteria necessitated the horses to recover from the surgery and survive for more than 120 hours post operation.
• The total number of horses included in the study was 92.

Findings

• The results showed that the overall complication rate related to incisional infection was substantial, at around 42.2%.
• The crucial finding of the study was that there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of number of incisional complications. This implies that an extended duration of antimicrobial therapy did not result in a lower incidence of complications.
• In other words, a 72-hour period of antimicrobial therapy was found to be just as effective in preventing incisional infections as a 120-hour period.

Conclusion

• The evidence suggests, given the lack of difference in the incisional complication rates, that extending the duration of perioperative antimicrobial therapy from 72 to 120 hours provides no additional benefit in preventing surgical site infections.
• This research is of value in informing surgical interventions in veterinary medicine, particularly for horses. The findings could greatly optimize the use of antibiotics, potentially lowering the overall usage and helping to combat rising antibiotic resistance.