Prophylactic antibiotics in augmenting Surgical wound healing
Loading...
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
TANZANIA VETERINARY ASSOCIATION
Abstract
Antibiotics are widely used in treatment of bacterial and protozoan diseases in both human and animals. In production
animal systems, the overuse and abuse of antibiotics have contributed to the widespread of antimicrobial resistant
bacterial strains and drug residues in food chain. Oxytetracycline for example is a common antibiotic employed for
treating various bacterial diseases and wound infection. This study aimed at investigating the use of prophylactic
antibiotics in augmenting surgical wound healing in animals. Sixty-four adult guinea pigs were employed in this study
and randomly divided into four equal groups (n=16). Animals were fully anaesthetized using Xylazine 5.0 mg/kg and
Ketamine 44.0 mg/kg. Laparotomy incisions (3 cm long) were made on aseptically prepared sites on the ventral
abdomen. The abdominal muscles and peritoneum were sutured by CatgutĀ® while SilkĀ® was used to suture the skin.
Animals in group one received Oxytetracycline intramuscular injection two hours before the operation; group two were
injected with OTC immediately after the operation; group three received OTC spray on the wound immediately after the
procedure; and group four animals were left untreated to serve as the control group. Animals were monitored for two
weeks where general appearance and wound contraction was recorded. The wounds in pre-operative group healed faster
(7 days), followed by topical group (10 days). Wounds in post-operative and control groups had delayed healing and
showed evidence of infection. The study showed that prophylactic antibiotics administration pre-operatively minimize
post-operative wound infection and promotes healing.
Description
Proceeding of the 35 of the Scientific Conference of the Tanzania veterinary Association, Volume 35: 72-76
Keywords
Antibiotics, Prophylaxis, Surgical wound, Pre-operative, Post-operative