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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2023; 36(01): 21-28
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1756621
Original Research

Evaluation of Surgical Gown Cuff Contamination During Orthopaedic Surgery in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Kenneth J. Brand    *
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
,
Sarah Malek 
1   Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
,
Audrey Ruple   **
2   Department of Public Health, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
,
G. Kenitra Hendrix
3   Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of positive cultures of the surgical gown cuffs among scrubbed personnel prior to and immediately after orthopaedic surgical procedures performed on client-owned dogs.

Study Design In this cross-sectional study, the left and right surgical gown cuffs of three scrubbed persons in 10 orthopaedic surgical procedures were individually sampled using a sterile wipe prior to and immediately after surgery in order to determine the frequency of and risk factors associated with positive bacterial cultures.

Results Fifty of 120 (41.6%) cultures were positive with an even distribution before and after surgery. The three most common genera were Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium and Streptococcus. Using multivariable logistic regression models, humidity in the operating room (odds ratio: 1.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.00–1.08; p = 0.038) and the number of individuals scrubbed into surgery (odds ratio: 0.59, 95% confidence interval: 0.39–0.91; p = 0.016) had a significant effect on the likelihood of positive culture after surgery. Of the nine patients available for follow-up, one dog developed osteomyelitis.

Conclusions Maintaining the humidity in the operating room to the lowest comfortable level may reduce contamination of the surgical gown cuffs. Confirmation of bacterial contamination of surgical gown cuffs warrants adherence to operative guidelines to minimize the risk of surgical gown cuffs' contact with sterile attire, equipment and the surgical field during surgical procedures.

Keywords

bacterial contamination - surgical gown - orthopaedic surgery - surgical site infections - dog

Authors' Contributions

K.B. and S.M. conceived the study and participated in its design and coordination. K.B. wrote the final version of the manuscript. K.B. and S.M. collected the data. K.H. was responsible for the laboratory culturing protocol. A.R. performed statistical analysis. All authors contributed in the interpretation of the data. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.


* Current address of K.J.B.: Small Animal Surgical Service, Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Parker, Colorado, United States.


** Current address of A.R.: Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States.




Publication History

Received: 14 December 2021

Accepted: 08 August 2022

Article published online:
23 September 2022

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