TR
EN
Time-Dependent Evaluation of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedic Operations: A Prospective Study
Abstract
Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a major concern in veterinary orthopedics, increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Prolonged operative time is recognized as a significant risk factor for intraoperative contamination. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the time-dependent pattern of bacterial contamination during feline long bone osteosynthesis and to determine its association with operative duration. Ninety-two cats undergoing osteosynthesis for humeral, radial-ulnar, femoral, or tibial fractures were included. Standardized anesthetic and aseptic protocols were applied in all cases. Sterile swab samples were collected from the surgical site at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minutes after exposure of the fracture site. Samples were cultured on tryptic soy agar and MacConkey agar, and colony-forming units were counted. No bacterial growth was detected at 0–30 minutes. Culture positivity rates were 2.2% at 45 minutes, 16.3% at 60 minutes, 35.3% at 75 minutes, and 66.7% at 90 minutes. Fisher’s Exact and Cochran-Armitage trend tests confirmed a statistically significant increase in contamination rates after 45 minutes (p < 0.05). Notably, cases with severe soft tissue trauma and subcutaneous hematoma, even without skin disruption, exhibited higher contamination rates and developed postoperative SSIs more frequently. These results highlight operative time as a critical factor influencing intraoperative contamination in feline orthopedics and emphasize the importance of minimizing unnecessary surgical delays, maintaining strict aseptic discipline, and considering prophylactic strategies for prolonged surgeries.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye
Project Number
1919B012336006
Ethical Statement
The experimental protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of Animal Experiments at Dicle University Health Sciences Application and Research Center (28/08/2025-09-09).
Thanks
This study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK-BİDEB, 2209-A, 2023-2nd Term, Project No: 1919B012336006).
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Veterinary Surgery
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
December 24, 2025
Submission Date
September 13, 2025
Acceptance Date
October 22, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 14 Number: 2
APA
Saylak, N., Karacan Sever, N., & Yilmaz, E. E. (2025). Time-Dependent Evaluation of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedic Operations: A Prospective Study. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 14(2), 157-162. https://doi.org/10.31196/huvfd.1783378
AMA
1.Saylak N, Karacan Sever N, Yilmaz EE. Time-Dependent Evaluation of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedic Operations: A Prospective Study. Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2025;14(2):157-162. doi:10.31196/huvfd.1783378
Chicago
Saylak, Nahit, Nurdan Karacan Sever, and Elif Evrim Yilmaz. 2025. “Time-Dependent Evaluation of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedic Operations: A Prospective Study”. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 14 (2): 157-62. https://doi.org/10.31196/huvfd.1783378.
EndNote
Saylak N, Karacan Sever N, Yilmaz EE (December 1, 2025) Time-Dependent Evaluation of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedic Operations: A Prospective Study. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 14 2 157–162.
IEEE
[1]N. Saylak, N. Karacan Sever, and E. E. Yilmaz, “Time-Dependent Evaluation of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedic Operations: A Prospective Study”, Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 157–162, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.31196/huvfd.1783378.
ISNAD
Saylak, Nahit - Karacan Sever, Nurdan - Yilmaz, Elif Evrim. “Time-Dependent Evaluation of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedic Operations: A Prospective Study”. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 14/2 (December 1, 2025): 157-162. https://doi.org/10.31196/huvfd.1783378.
JAMA
1.Saylak N, Karacan Sever N, Yilmaz EE. Time-Dependent Evaluation of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedic Operations: A Prospective Study. Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2025;14:157–162.
MLA
Saylak, Nahit, et al. “Time-Dependent Evaluation of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedic Operations: A Prospective Study”. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 157-62, doi:10.31196/huvfd.1783378.
Vancouver
1.Nahit Saylak, Nurdan Karacan Sever, Elif Evrim Yilmaz. Time-Dependent Evaluation of Surgical Site Infections in Orthopedic Operations: A Prospective Study. Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2025 Dec. 1;14(2):157-62. doi:10.31196/huvfd.1783378
