Wound Therapy
Antibiotic Therapy for Traumatic Wounds
Basic Information
Procedure
• Antibiotics used in wound lavage/irrigation.
1% neomycin solution is effective in preventing infection in wounds experimentally contaminated with feces.
In a double-blind study done on 260 sutured lacerations, penicillin sprayed on the wound before closure reduced infection by 75%.
• Antibiotics systemic: General comments
Parenteral recommended initially. IV is preferred because its effects are predictable. IM absorption is often prolonged and variable and depends on the site selection and amount of exercise.
Superficial wounds: Generally not needed in clean wounds <3 hours duration that are sutured or left to heal by second intention. Generally needed for heavily contaminated wounds >3 hours duration. Antibiotics used include penicillin (22,000–44,000 IU/kg IV q6 or IM q12h) alone or in combination with TMS (15 mg/kg PO q12h).
Deeper wounds involving synovial cavities: Penicillin, ampicillin (6.6–11 mg/kg IM or IV q8–12h), or cefazolin (11 mg/kg IV or IM q6–8h) in combination with an aminoglycoside
Gentamicin (6.6 mg/kg IV or IM q24h) or amikacin (15–25 mg/kg IV or IM q24h). Combination is synergistic.
Ceftiofur (adult = 2.2–4.4 mg/kg IM or IV q12h; foals 4–6 mg/kg IV or IM q12h) or enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg IV q12–24h or 7.5 mg/kg PO q24h [not recommended for foals]) reserved for bacteria resistant to all previously mentioned antibiotics.
High doses of penicillin, ampicillin, or cephazolin and metronidazole (15 mg/kg PO q6–8h) or rifampin (5–10 mg/kg PO q12–24h) or ceftiofur.
• Duration of antimicrobial therapy
NOTE: Wounds contaminated with 109 microorganisms/g of tissue will develop infection despite antibiotic treatment.
Can retard wound healing, especially some ointments or creams (eg, nitrofurazone [Furacin] and Gentamicin cream).
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