A retrospective study on the effects of perioperative surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis on occurrence of postoperative complications in elective surgeries in horses
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Elective surgeries in equine medicine, although planned, carry risks of postoperative complications, such as surgical site infections or other nosocomial infections. Considering the rise of antimicrobial resistances and recent changes in national and international laws restricting prophylactic antimicrobial use heavily, the use of perioperative surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in such procedures is under debate. This retrospective study investigates the influence of perioperative surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis, and we hypothesized that it does not affect the development of postoperative complications. Medical records of 400 equids treated at the Equine Clinic of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna between November 2022 and June 2024 were reviewed. Several pre-, intra- and postoperative variables were documented and statistically analyzed. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine associations to the development of post-surgical complications. In 38.75 % of cases complications occurred postoperatively. Prolonged surgical duration, treatment prior to admission and the need for follow-up procedures significantly increased the risk of postoperative complications, whereas an orthopedic diagnosis upon admission decreased it. Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis had no significant influence on the occurrence of postoperative complications. However, it was administered on average too early, which could possibly explain its ineffectiveness. Future prospective studies should further evaluate the effect of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis under standardized conditions and focus on a detailed documentation of the patient’s treatment prior to hospital admission, as well as keeping the duration of surgery as short as possible.
DOI: 10.34876/xe2j-7b96
Author: Herrgesell, Carla
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7128378709
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