CONTAMINATION AND INFECTION OF FRACTURES RESULTING FROM GUNSHOT TRAUMA IN DOGS - 20 CASES (1987-1992)

Medical records of 20 dogs with gunshot fractures were reviewed to det ermine the prevalence of preoperative contamination and postoperative osteomyelitis. Fractures were repaired primarily by application of a b one plate (n = 16) or external fixator (n = 2) in buttress fashion or application of interfragmentary screws and pins (n = 2). In 17 dogs, a n autogenous bone graft was also used. Results of bacteriologic cultur e of swab specimens obtained intraoperatively for 15 of the 16 dogs th at received antimicrobials preoperatively and for all 4 dogs that did not receive antimicrobials preoperatively were negative. Three dogs de veloped osteomyelitis at 6, 8, and 10 weeks following surgery; for all 3, results of bacteriologic culture of specimens obtained intraoperat ively had been negative. Fracture healing was uncomplicated in the rem aining dogs (mean follow-up time, 23 months; range, 2 to 58 months). D espite the potential for contamination associated with gunshot trauma, results indicated a low prevalence of preoperative fracture contamina tion and postoperative osteomyelitis. These results imply either a low contamination rate or treatable contamination of the perifracture are a.