APPENDIX 1 - STANDARD SKIN PREPARATION OF SURGICAL PATIENT

The following procedures take place in the preparation room:

• Fur around the surgical site is closely clipped, allowing a generous field round the prescribed incision site, using a size 40 blade.
• All loose fur is vacuumed away from the clipped site and adjacent fur.
• If feet need to be covered during limb surgery a bandage is applied to the foot.
• The animal is moved to the theatre.

The following procedures take place in the theatre:

• The animal is positioned for surgery.
• If the surgical procedure involves a limb it is suspended by the foot and tied to a drip stand, to enable all aspects of the limb to be prepared without contamination taking place.
• Iodine 0.75% w/v (Pevidine surgical scrub, C Vet) is used for initial skin cleansing at full strength, with just enough water to make a lather. This is applied with cotton wool using a circular motion, always working from the incision site outwards, discarding the cotton wool when the outer edge of the site has been reached. This is performed for 5 minutes, after which the excess scrub is rinsed away using surgical spirit. The area is then sprayed with 1% w/v iodine in spirit (Povidone Alcoholic Tincture, Vetasept) and left for 2 minutes prior to draping.

NOTE: If diathermy is to be used during the procedure no alcohol should be used, as this constitutes a fire risk.