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Table 1 Surgical site infection definitions according to the CDC guidelines [20]

From: Antimicrobial prophylaxis is considered sufficient to preserve an acceptable surgical site infection rate in clean orthopaedic and neurosurgeries in dogs

Superficial incisional SSI

Infection occurs within 30 days of surgery

AND

Involves only skin or subcutaneous tissue of the incision

AND

At least ONE of the following:

 Purulent drainage

 Positive microbial culture from the incision site

 At least one of the following symptoms: pain or tenderness, localized swelling, redness or heat

 Diagnosis of SSI is made by a veterinarian

Deep incisional SSI

Infection occurs within 30 days of surgery or within 1 year if implant is in place

AND

Involves deep soft tissue (fascia, muscle etc.) of the incision

AND

At least ONE of the following:

 Purulent drainage from the deep incision

 Deep incision dehisces or is opened by the surgeon when the dog has at least one of the following symptoms UNLESS bacterial culture of the incision is negative:

  Fever

  Localized pain or tenderness

 An abscess or other evidence of infection in the deep soft tissues of the incision is found on examination, reoperation, histopathology or imaging

Organ/Space SSI

Infection occurs within 30 days of surgery or within 1 year if implant is in place

AND

Involves any area other than the incision which was opened or manipulated during surgery

AND

At least ONE of the following:

 Purulent drainage

 Positive bacterial culture

 An abscess or other evidence of infection involving the organ/space found on examination or by histopathology or diagnostic imaging

 Diagnosis of SSI made by a veterinarian

  1. SSI, surgical site infection