Effect of four surgical antisepsis protocols on bacteria counts in felines undergoing routine ovariohysterectomy

Background: Endogenous microbial flora is the most frequent cause of contamination of the surgical wound and its subsequent infection. Surgical antisepsis is the control of infection of surgical wounds by reducing microbial contamination. Objective: The main objective of this research was to determine the effect of four surgical antisepsis protocols on bacterial count in felines undergoing routine ovariohysterectomy at different moments: the moment 1 (M1) after trichotomy and before antisepsis, moment 2 (M2) after antisepsis and moment 3 (M3) at the end of the surgical procedure. Methods: Sixty felines, mixed breed, from 5 to 12 months of age, were randomly subjected to 4 surgical antisepsis protocols: 7.5% povidone-iodine soap and rinsing with alcohol 70°, 7.5% povidone-iodine soap and rinsing with saline solution, 2% chlorhexidine soap and rinsing with alcohol 70°, and chlorhexidine soap 2% and rinsing with saline solution. Results: it was demonstrated a mathematical reduction in the number of bacteria in all groups. Regarding the comparison of bacteria growth by protocols evaluated, using the Kruskal Wallis test, no statistically significant differences were found between the protocols studied (p˃0.05). Regarding the comparison of bacteria growth by moments in each protocol (same individuals evaluated at different moments), using the Friedman and Holm test, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the studied moments: M1M2 p=4.9 -11; M1M3 p=4.9 -11 and M2M3 p=0.039. Conclusions: under the conditions of the present study, any of the 4 protocols have a similar effect on the antisepsis protocol in felines undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Regarding the moments studied, there were differences between the 3 moments studied, with M1 being dissimilar to M2, M1 to M3 and M2 to M3.