A COMPENDIUM OF DRUGS USED FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL ...

DETAILED CONSIDERATIONS FOR ANIMAL, SURGEON andINSTRUMENT PREPARATION PRIOR TO SURGERYA. Bathe the entire body the day before, if grossly dirty.B. Removal of hair from operative site.1. Should be done outside of the operating room or surgical area. In ULARsurgical suites there is a prep area separate from the room where the surgery isperformed.2. The amount of time between the pre-op clip and the operation has a directeffect on the wound infection rate.a. Avoid scrapes, nicks, scratches, and cuts because cutaneous bacteriawill proliferate in these areas and increase the chances of infection.Clip, do not shave whenever possible.b. The extent of the area to be clipped is determined by the site of theincision and the nature of the operation. For orthopedic surgery of theextremities, the clip should extend from one joint above to one jointbelow the area of incision.3. Skin prep in the operating room has the disadvantages that the anesthesia timeis prolonged and loose hair remaining in the surrounding drapes may get intothe wound.C. Skin disinfection of the operative area.1. Use a commercially available sterile skin preparation set.a. Wash your hands before preparing the animal.b. Use sterile gloves (if necessary) for maximal protection.c. Place absorbent pads around patient to protect operating room tableand sheets or heating pad from getting wet.2. Antiseptic agents used to prep skin.a. Most commonly used skin antiseptic is povidone/iodine, a complex ofpolyvinylpyrrolidone and iodine.i. It possesses the potent germicidal effect of iodine withoutmany of its irritating properties.ii. The activity is prolonged because it is released gradually fromthe binding polymer.iii. It is effective in the presence of purulent exudates but has ashorter duration in the presence of blood or serum.iv. It can be safely used on mucous membranes but do not allow itto pool on skin or in body cavities.