Stine SL, Odum SM, Mertens WD. Protocol changes to reduce implant-associated infection rate after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy: 703 dogs, 811 TPLO (2006-2014).
Vet Surg 2018;
47:481-489. [PMID:
29878479 DOI:
10.1111/vsu.12796]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine the influence of a stricter aseptic protocol on implant-associated infection (IAI) rates after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study.
SAMPLE POPULATION
Seven hundred three dogs (811 TPLO).
METHODS
Medical records (2006-2014) of dogs with TPLO with a ≥18-month follow-up were reviewed. An established TPLO protocol was altered to include an iodophore-impregnated adhesive drape, cefazolin administration every 90 minutes intraoperatively and then every 4 hours until hospital discharge, orthopedic surgical gloves, triclosan-coated intradermal sutures (instead of staples), soft-padded bandage with mupirocin ointment, use of single-use gloves while handling treated dogs, and placement of an Elizabethan collar. Signalment, affected limb, protocol changes, IAI, time to explant, and culture and susceptibility results were recorded. Data were analyzed by using Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and a multivariable logistic regression model.
RESULTS
TPLO plates were removed from 31 dogs (8.5% prechange, 1.3% postchange) because of a suspected IAI. Bacterial culture results from an explanted screw were positive in 26 dogs (7.4% prechange, 0.94% postchange). The odds ratio (OR) of IAI in the postchange cohort was decreased by 88% (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.05-0.33) compared with the prechange cohort, after controlling for variables. Staphylococcus spp. were isolated from all implants removed from IAI-positive postchange dogs, 4/5 of which were methicillin resistant. No methicillin-resistant isolates were grown from the prechange cohort implants.
CONCLUSION
The protocol tested here decreased IAI rates after TPLO, but most infections diagnosed after its implementation involved methicillin-resistant isolates.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The protocol reported here may be used as a guide in clinics seeking to reduce their IAI rates after TPLO. Postoperative infections after implementation of this protocol should be monitored to evaluate its potential impact on the emergence of antibiotic resistance.
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