Assessment of risk factors for surgical site infection following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Body weight is the primary SSI risk factor for TPLO; tailor antimicrobial prophylaxis accordingly.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs) following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs. The authors searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus through June 2025, identifying 11 studies meeting inclusion criteria (2 prospective clinical trials, 1 double-blinded RCT, and 8 retrospective case series). Increased body weight emerged as the most frequently identified risk factor for postoperative SSI. The review highlighted significant methodological limitations, with most studies demonstrating high risk of bias in allocation concealment, blinding of participants/personnel, and outcome assessment domains. However, incomplete outcome data and selective reporting showed generally low risk of bias. The authors conclude that identifying specific SSI risk factors after TPLO can guide clinicians in tailoring antimicrobial prophylaxis strategies, optimizing perioperative decision-making, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. This evidence synthesis provides a foundation for developing targeted preventive strategies to reduce SSI incidence in this commonly performed orthopedic procedure.

This summary was distilled by AI and may occasionally misinterpret data. Confirm critical details with the primary literature before clinical application.