Positive intraoperative cultures and canine total hip replacement: risk factors, periprosthetic infection, and surgical success.

The results of closing intraoperative cultures from 27 canine total hip replacements (THR) were reviewed. The relationship between these culture results and presurgical and surgical factors, and the short- and long-term success of THR were assessed. Eleven out of 27 cases had a positive culture, but none of these 11 cases were diagnosed with periprosthetic infection at follow-up examination. The duration of the clinical signs of hip disease prior to THR was significantly greater for those cases with a positive culture (P=0.034). The incidence of positive cultures was not related to surgical success.