EARLY POSTOPERATIVE ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF INCISIONAL SITES IN DOGS - 15 CASES (1990-1992)

Ultrasonography of the surgical sites of 15 dogs was performed 3 to 8 days after they underwent major orthopedic surgical procedures. Eight dogs were suspected of having incision-site complications on the basis of localized signs of pain, heat, or swelling and clinical signs of p yrexia, lethargy, or anorexia. Seven dogs had apparently normal healin g of the incision. Ultrasonography was wed to assess and compare the c haracter of fluid accumulation, to detect fluid accumulation associate d with evidence of distal enhancement, and to evaluate gas accumulatio n and disruption of muscle fibers. Ultrasonography of the 8 dogs with complications of the incision site revealed fluid accumulation (8 dogs ), distal enhancement associated with fluid accumulations (2), disrupt ion of muscle fibers (1), and gas accumulation (1). Ultrasonography of the 7 dogs with apparently normal healing of the incisions revealed f luid accumulations (2 dogs), fluid between fascial planes (4), disrupt ion of muscle fibers (1), and gas accumulation (1). Aspirates of fluid were obtained from 7 dogs with suspected incision-site infection. Ana lysis of results of cytologic evaluation or bacterial culturing confir med infection in 6 dogs and indicated that 1 dog had a sterile hematom a. Ultrasonography is a sensitive technique for the detection and loca lization of fluid accumulations; however, the detection of fluid accum ulations was not limited to dogs with incision-site complications. Flu id accumulations can be evaluated by use of ultrasound-guided needle a spiration, which has few associated negative side-effects. During the early postoperative period, results for fluid evaluation of samples ob tained by use of accurately placed aspiration needles can be used to s erve as a guide for further treatment.