Campbell et al: Diagnosis and surgical management of septic peritonitis in small animals: A review
Veterinary Surgery 1, 2026

🔍 Key Findings

Peritoneal effusion cytology remains the most rapid and reliable diagnostic for SP; detection of intracellular bacteria is highly specific (100%) and sensitive in dogs and cats.
Blood-effusion glucose difference >20 mg/dL has 100% sensitivity and specificity for SP in both dogs and cats, but point-of-care glucometers may falsely elevate effusion glucose.
Preoperative stapled intestinal anastomoses have lower dehiscence rates than handsewn in dogs with SP in some studies, especially in unstable patients.
Fluorescent angiography may outperform visual/palpatory assessment in determining intestinal viability during surgery.
Omentalization and serosal patching offer reinforcement for intestinal repairs in SP; experimental studies show improved healing, though clinical data are limited.
Open abdomen with VAC therapy offers comparable survival to closed methods, with potential benefits including improved peritoneal healing and drainage.
Closed suction drains show survival rates ranging from 52–100% in dogs and cats with SP; concerns exist about nosocomial infections, but survival was not consistently affected.
Lavage with saline is standard (200–300 mL/kg), but risks include mesothelial irritation and cytokine spread; buffered solutions like LRS or Plasmalyte may be superior.

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← Articles

Campbell et al: Diagnosis and surgical management of septic peritonitis in small animals: A review
Veterinary Surgery 1, 2026

🔍 Key Findings

Peritoneal effusion cytology remains the most rapid and reliable diagnostic for SP; detection of intracellular bacteria is highly specific (100%) and sensitive in dogs and cats.
Blood-effusion glucose difference >20 mg/dL has 100% sensitivity and specificity for SP in both dogs and cats, but point-of-care glucometers may falsely elevate effusion glucose.
Preoperative stapled intestinal anastomoses have lower dehiscence rates than handsewn in dogs with SP in some studies, especially in unstable patients.
Fluorescent angiography may outperform visual/palpatory assessment in determining intestinal viability during surgery.
Omentalization and serosal patching offer reinforcement for intestinal repairs in SP; experimental studies show improved healing, though clinical data are limited.
Open abdomen with VAC therapy offers comparable survival to closed methods, with potential benefits including improved peritoneal healing and drainage.
Closed suction drains show survival rates ranging from 52–100% in dogs and cats with SP; concerns exist about nosocomial infections, but survival was not consistently affected.
Lavage with saline is standard (200–300 mL/kg), but risks include mesothelial irritation and cytokine spread; buffered solutions like LRS or Plasmalyte may be superior.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Campbell 2026 et al., on septic peritonitis surgery, what advantage does fluorescent angiography (FA) offer over traditional methods during intestinal surgery?

A. It is less expensive than all other methods

B. It improves tactile feedback during surgery

C. It allows direct measurement of mucosal thickness

D. It helps visualize perfused tissues in real-time

E. It eliminates the need for anastomosis in SP

Answer: It helps visualize perfused tissues in real-time

Explanation: FA provides real-time visualization of perfused tissue and may improve prediction of intestinal viability.

In Campbell 2026 et al., on septic peritonitis surgery, which reinforcement technique showed experimental evidence of promoting vascular connection between tissues?

A. Use of Teflon mesh

B. Omentalization with suturing

C. Autologous peritoneal flap

D. Biologic glue application

E. Staged serosal resection

Answer: Omentalization with suturing

Explanation: Studies show the omentum can adhere, vascularize, and promote healing at the repair site.

In Campbell 2026 et al., on septic peritonitis surgery, what variable had the highest specificity and sensitivity for diagnosing septic peritonitis in both dogs and cats?

A. Effusion lactate >2.5 mmol/L

B. Effusion TNCC >13,000/μL

C. Whole blood-effusion glucose difference >20 mg/dL

D. Intra-abdominal pH <7.1

E. Peritoneal fluid neutrophils >19,000/μL

Answer: Whole blood-effusion glucose difference >20 mg/dL

Explanation: A difference >20 mg/dL between blood and effusion glucose had 100% sensitivity and specificity in both dogs and cats.

In Campbell 2026 et al., on septic peritonitis surgery, what was noted about postoperative use of closed-suction drains in dogs with SP?

A. They significantly improved survival in all cases

B. They were associated with a higher rate of peritoneal abscess formation

C. They had lower bacterial contamination than open abdomen methods

D. They had survival rates ranging from 52–100%

E. They were contraindicated due to nosocomial infection risk

Answer: They had survival rates ranging from 52–100%

Explanation: Although nosocomial infections were noted, survival ranged widely and was not clearly affected.

In Campbell 2026 et al., on septic peritonitis surgery, what is a major limitation of using visual and palpatory assessment alone to determine intestinal viability?

A. It can cause damage to the tissue

B. It underestimates viable tissue in most cases

C. It is less accurate than radiography

D. It frequently results in unnecessary resection of viable intestine

E. It overestimates mucosal viability

Answer: It frequently results in unnecessary resection of viable intestine

Explanation: Human studies showed up to 46% of viable intestine was unnecessarily resected when using gross assessment alone.

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