Risk factors for wound infection following celiotomy in horses.

摘要

All horses that had coeliotomies between March 1990 and March 1992 at the Texas A&M University were considered for this study. Only horses that survived >=10 days after surgery were included in analysis of risk factors for postoperative wound infection. Of 210 horses treated, 161 (76.7%) were discharged; of the horses discharged, 147 had a single coeliotomy and 14 had multiple coeliotomies. 26 (12.4%) horses were killed during surgery and were, therefore, excluded from further analysis. 23 horses died during the postoperative period. Of these 23 horses, 15 that died within 10 days of surgery also were excluded from further analysis. Thus, 169 horses were included in the analysis of risk factors for developing incisional infection. Evidence of incisional infection was observed in 43 of 169 (25.4%) horses. Increased concentration of fibrinogen in peritoneal fluid obtained before surgery, performing an enterotomy, and use of polyglactin 910 to close the linea alba were all significantly associated with increased risk of postoperative wound infection. Whether incisional herniation developed was recorded for 76 horses. The proportion of horses with hernias among those with postoperative wound infection was 19.1%, compared with 3.6% of horses without evidence of postoperative wound infection, indicating a significant association between postoperative wound infection and development of incisional hernias.