A spanish survey on the perioperative use of antimicrobials in small animals

Otero Balda, IgnacioFuertes Recuero, ManuelPenelo Hidalgo, SilviaEspinel Rupérez, JorgeLapostolle, BenoitAyllón Santiago, TaniaOrtiz Díez, Gustavo2024-05-212024-05-212023-07-31Otero Balda I, Fuertes-Recuero M, Penelo Hidalgo S, Espinel Rupérez J, Lapostolle B, Ayllón-Santiago T, Ortiz-Díez G. A spanish survey on the perioperative use of antimicrobials in small animals. Animals. 2023;13(15):2475.10.3390/ani13152475https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/1042892023 Descuento MDPIAppropriate use of perioperative antimicrobials can significantly reduce the risk of post-operative infections. However, inappropriate antimicrobial use can result in the creation of multidrug-resistant bacteria, increased costs, host flora disruption, side effects and increased risk of hospital-acquired infections. This survey evaluated the current perioperative use of antimicrobials in small animals by Spanish veterinarians using a web-based questionnaire. Responses were represented using descriptive statistics and a statistical analysis of the association between demographic data and perioperative antimicrobial use was performed. Pre-operative antimicrobials were administered in clean surgery by up to 68.3% of participants, 81.0% in clean-contaminated surgery and 71.3% in dirty surgery, while in the post-operative period, antimicrobials were administered by up to 86.3% of participants in clean surgery, 93.2% in clean-contaminated surgery and 87.5% in dirty surgery. Factors considered “very important” for antimicrobial selection were the degree of wound contamination, patient immunosuppression and use of prosthesis. The most frequently used antimicrobial was beta-lactamase-resistant (or potentiated) penicillin. Post-operative antimicrobial use was associated with participants without specific surgical postgraduate training. This study highlights an overuse of antimicrobials in perioperative procedures in small animal surgery in Spain. Therefore, evidence-based guidelines and further education regarding the correct use of antimicrobial prophylaxis are recommended.engAttribution 4.0 InternationalA spanish survey on the perioperative use of antimicrobials in small animalsjournal article2076-2615https://doi.org/10.3390/ani1315247537570284open access615.33616.9636.7/.8.09:617579.62Nosocomial infectionsQuestionnaireVeterinariansSmall animalsAntimicrobial useMicrobiología (Veterinaria)Farmacología veterinaria3109.05 Microbiología3109.08 Farmacología3109.10 Cirugía