Vince KJ, Lascelles BD, Mathews KG, Altier C, Roe SC. Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA. Vet Surg 2008 June 37 4 406-11 OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in bacterial strike-through for materials commonly used to cover the distal aspect of the pelvic limb during operative site preparation. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized block design; ex vivo model. ANIMALS: Canine cadaveric pelvic limbs (n=40). METHODS: Pelvic limbs (n=40) were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups: Group 1=Vetrap+sterile Coban; Group 2=latex glove+Vetrap+sterile Coban; Group 3=latex glove+Vetrap+sterile Coban+sterile latex glove+sterile Coban; and Group 4=latex glove+Vetrap+sterile disposable drape+sterile Coban. Limbs were contaminated with a standardized bacterial solution and routinely prepared using the assigned distal leg wrap. Bandages were fluid challenged with a saline (0.9% NaCl) solution-soaked laparotomy sponge for 30 seconds. The wrap surface was sampled for microbial culture before surgical preparation, immediately after, and 60 minutes after applying a sterile leg wrap. RESULTS: Bacterial growth occurred in all Group 1 cultures, 90% of Group 2 cultures, and none of the Group 3 and 4 cultures, 60 minutes after applying the sterile wrap. CONCLUSION: A distal leg wrap of Vetrap+sterile Coban is not effective in preventing bacterial strike-through. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: If similar results occur in the live animal, then a sterile impermeable barrier must be incorporated into the distal leg wrap to prevent bacterial strike-through.

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