Evaluating the effect of intraoperative peritoneal lavage on bacterial culture in dogs with suspected septic peritonitis.

This pilot study describes the effect of intraoperative peritoneal lavage (IOPL) on bacterial counts and outcome in clinical cases of septic peritonitis. Intraoperative samples were cultured before and after IOPL. Thirty-three dogs with presumed septic peritonitis on the basis of cytology were managed surgically during the study period. Positive pre-lavage bacterial cultures were found in 14 cases, 13 of which were a result of intestinal leakage. The post-lavage cultures showed fewer isolates in 9 cases and in 1 case became negative. The number of dogs with a decrease in the concentration of bacteria cultured from pre-lavage to post-lavage samples was not statistically significant. There was no significant effect of the change in pre- to post-lavage culture, single versus multiple types of bacteria, selection of an appropriate empiric antimicrobial on survival or the need for subsequent surgery.This pilot study describes the effect of intraoperative peritoneal lavage (IOPL) on bacterial counts and outcome in clinical cases of septic peritonitis. Intraoperative samples were cultured before and after IOPL. Thirty-three dogs with presumed septic peritonitis on the basis of cytology were managed surgically during the study period. Positive pre-lavage bacterial cultures were found in 14 cases, 13 of which were a result of intestinal leakage. The post-lavage cultures showed fewer isolates in 9 cases and in 1 case became negative. The number of dogs with a decrease in the concentration of bacteria cultured from pre-lavage to post-lavage samples was not statistically significant. There was no significant effect of the change in pre- to post-lavage culture, single versus multiple types of bacteria, selection of an appropriate empiric antimicrobial on survival or the need for subsequent surgery.

RésuméÉvaluation de l'effet d'un lavage péritonéal intra-opératoire sur la culture bactérienne chez des chiens atteints d'une péritonite septique suspectée. Cette étude pilote décrit l'effet d'un lavage péritonéal intra-opératoire sur les numérations bactériennes et les résultats dans des cas cliniques de péritonite septique. Des échantillons intra-opératoires ont été cultivés avant et après un lavage péritonéal intra-opératoire. Trente-trois chiens atteints d'une péritonite septique présumée basée sur la cytologie ont été gérés par chirurgie durant la période de l'étude. Des cultures bactériennes positives avant le lavage ont été trouvées dans 14 cas, dont 13 étaient le résultat d'une fuite intestinale. Les cultures après le lavage ont montré moins d'isolats dans 9 cas et dans 1 cas étaient négatives. Le nombre de chiens présentant une baisse de la concentration des bactéries cultivées d'échantillons avant le lavage et après le lavage n'était pas statistiquement significatif. Il n'y a eu aucun effet significatif du changement dans la culture avant et après le lavage, d'un type unique par rapport à des types multiples d'espèces bactérinnes, du choix empirique d'un antimicrobien approprié sur la survie ou le besoin d'une chirurgie subséquente.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Recurrence of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion in chondrodystrophic dogs after surgical decompression with or without prophylactic fenestration: 265 cases (1995-1999).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a population of chondrodystrophic dogs treated for Hansen type 1 intervertebral disk (IVD) disease by surgical decompression with or without prophylactic fenestration and determine the rate and location of surgically confirmed recurrence of intervertebral disk extrusion. ANIMALS: 265 dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs that underwent spinal decompression between 1995 and 1999 were reviewed. RESULTS: 3 (4.9%) dogs were euthanatized or died prior to discharge. Fenestration was performed in 252 dogs, including 37 (14.7%) at the site of decompression only, 48 (19%) at 3 to 4 disk spaces, and 167 (66%) at 5 to 7 disk spaces. There were 12 instances of recurrent disk extrusion confirmed by removal of disk at a second surgery 3.5 to 33 months after the first surgery. Recurrence was always at a new disk space, and rates did not significantly differ between dogs that underwent single or multiple fenestrations. Two recurrences were at a previously fenestrated disk space. Seven recurrences were at a site immediately adjacent to a fenestrated disk space, and 5 recurrences were at L4-5. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prophylactic fenestration is generally successful in preventing future disk extrusions at fenestrated disk spaces. Prospective evaluation is still required to determine whether fenestration decreases the overall rate of recurrence. Prophylactic fenestration could promote disk extrusion at adjacent, nonfenestrated disk spaces. This could have a substantial clinical impact if recurrence develops at L4-5.