Surgical audit: topical ampicillin for prophylaxis against wound infection in acute appendicitis

ABSTRACT

A total of 280 patients undergoing appendectomy for acute appendicitis were prospectively studied in two groups, group I, comprising 134 patients, group II included 146 patients who received intraoperative topical ampicillin irrigation of the wound. All patients additionally received preoperative systemic ampicillin and flagyl. Both groups were comparable with regard to age, sex, duration of symptoms, and severity of acute appendicitis. Wound infection occurred in 19% in group 1, compared to only 5% in group II [P <0.05]. The reduction in wound infection was significant [P< 0.05] in histologically proven appendicitis. We conclude that the addition of intraoperative topical ampicillin to systemic ampicillin and flagyl augments prophylaxis against wound infection in acute appendicitis