Pectin-honey hydrogel to prevent laparotomy surgical site infection in horses: A pilot study.

The research article investigates the effectiveness of Pectin-Honey Hydrogels (PHH) in preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) in horses post-laparotomy. The findings suggest that PHH, known for its microbial growth inhibition, applied to the sutured wound before skin closure reduces the prevalence of SSIs in horses, offering a safe and possibly viable alternative to traditional antibiotics.

Research Overview

• The study is focused on Surgical Site Infections (SSIs); these are common complications that occur after a laparotomy (abdominal surgery) in horses and increase both morbidity and costs.
• Given the rising concern over antibiotic resistance, the research seeks to evaluate alternative preventive measures. The focus of the study is on Pectin-Honey Hydrogels (PHH), a combination of Manuka honey and pectin. Manuka honey possesses documented antimicrobial properties, while pectin helps to maintain a moist wound environment conducive to healing.
• The goal of the study is to assess the effectiveness of PHH in preventing SSIs in horses undergoing emergency laparotomy.

Research Methodology

• For the study, horses subjected to laparotomy were split into two groups randomly. Group 1 had PHH applied to the sutured wound prior to skin closure, while Group 2 received no treatment. The exclusion criteria included any horses that received postoperative antibiotics or those that didn’t survive beyond five days post-surgery.
• The incidence of SSIs was reported as percentages and compared between both groups. Ultimately, out of 44 initial subjects, 36 horses were included in the study, after exclusions for early postoperative death or antibiotic administration.
• The median length of hospitalization for the horses was 9 days, with a range from 8 to 14 days.

Research Findings

• The overall occurrence of SSIs was 19.4%. Only one out of eighteen horses (5.5%) in Group 1 developed SSIs, whereas 6 out of the 18 (33.3%) horses in Group 2 did.
• PHH demonstrated a promising potential in reducing SSIs as Group 2 that didn’t receive the PHH treatment had an 8.5-fold increased risk of developing SSIs. This was statistically significant (p=0.035, OR=8.5, 95% CI. 0.9-80.07).
• Interestingly, no visible adverse reactions associated with PHH use were observed, suggesting it’s safe for use.

Conclusion

• PHH, when applied at the abdominal incision during surgery, was found not only to be safe but also to reduce the prevalence of SSIs in horses.
• This proposition offers a potential alternative to antibiotics, combating the issue of rising antibiotic resistance and showing promise for further research into its efficacy and applicability.