Treatment of orthopaedic infections such as septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and soft-tissue infections associated with trauma or surgery can be challenging for the veterinary practitioner. In the current economic climate there is also the underlyingpressure of trying to balance effective treatment with cost efficiency.Intravenous regional perfusion (IRP) has become a widely used treatment modality in these cases, as it can provide high concentrations of antibiotics to affected area while limiting systemic side effects and costs. Intravenous regional perfusion consistsof an injection of antibiotic into a limb vein of a standing, sedated horse, while the blood flow to the limb is interrupted for approximately 30 min by application of a tourniquet. Due to the interrupted blood flow, the antibiotic can concentrate in the tissues of the limb. A number of studies [1,2] have demonstrated that high concentrations of antibiotics can be achieved in target tissues using this technique.
展开▼
