The impact of low-volume uterine lavage on endometrial biopsy classification.

In the mare, the low-volume uterine lavage technique allows for bacterial sampling of the entire uterine lumen and is usually performed after obtaining the traditional double-guarded endometrial swab for aerobic culture and cytology and before procurement of an endometrial biopsy sample during a breeding soundness examination. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential effects of the low-volume lavage on the endometrial biopsy classification and polymorphonuclear cell (PMNs) infiltration in the context of a breeding soundness examination. Fourteen light horse mares of mixed breed, age 7 to 21 years, with known reproductive history, were included in the study, matched by age and reproductive history, and then divided into treatment and control groups. Transrectal palpation and ultrasonography, endometrial swabbing, and the first endometrial biopsy were performed in all mares. Low-volume uterine lavage was performed in the treatment group but not the control group. After either the lavage or a 15-minute rest, a second endometrial biopsy was obtained from both the control and treatment groups. Endometrial swabs and effluent from the low-volume lavages were submitted for aerobic culture and sensitivity. Biopsy samples were fixed in Bouin's solution for 24 hours, processed, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and then viewed under bright light microscopy. Additional staining with anti-neutrophil elastase antibody (ab68672) was performed for indirect immunohistochemistry. All samples were interpreted by a blinded observer. When the first (pre-uterine lavage) and second (post-uterine lavage) biopsies were compared using a mixed-effects logistic regression, there was no difference in endometrial biopsy classification (P = 0.74), presence of PMNs in blood vessels (P = 0.728), or infiltration of PMNs in the tissue (P = 0.934) between the treatment and control groups. In this study, the low-volume uterine lavage did not affect the endometrial biopsy classification.

Antimicrobial use in horses undergoing colic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Recommendations for antimicrobial prophylaxis for surgery are well-described in human medicine, but information is limited for veterinary practice. OBJECTIVE: To characterize antimicrobial use in horses undergoing emergency colic surgery. ANIMALS: A total of 761 horses undergoing emergency colic surgery (2001-2007). METHODS: Retrospective case review. Antimicrobial dose and timing, surgical description, and duration of treatment were collected from medical records. Associations between antimicrobial use and the occurrence of fever, incisional inflammation or infection, catheter-associated complications, or Salmonella shedding during hospitalization were analyzed using rank-sum methods and logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 511 (67.2%) horses received an inappropriate amount of drug preoperatively. Median time from preoperative dose to incision was 70 (IQR 55-90) minutes; median total surgery time was 110 (IQR 80-160) minutes. Seventy-three horses were euthanized under anesthesia because of poor prognosis. Of 688 horses, 438 should have been redosed intraoperatively based on the duration of surgery. Only 8 (1.8%) horses were redosed correctly. Horses remained on perioperative antimicrobials a median of 3 (IQR 2-4.5) days. Antimicrobial therapy was reinstituted in 193 (28.9%) horses, and median days of total treatment were 3.8 (IQR 2-6). Signs that led to reinstituting therapy were fever (OR 3.13, P = .001) and incisional inflammation/infection (OR 2.95, P = .001). Horses in which treatment was reinstituted had 2.3 greater odds of shedding Salmonella (P = .003). Increased surgical time was associated with longer duration of antimicrobial therapy (OR 1.02, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite published recommendations regarding antimicrobial prophylaxis, compliance is poor; improvement might reduce postoperative complications.