Wound infection in perforated appendectomy: a proposed solution to decrease the risk, advantages and disadvantages

ABSTRACT

Wound infection is the commonest complication post-appendectomy especially in perforated and gangrenous appendicitis. Our aim is to study the incidence of wound infection in cases of perforated or gangrenous appendicitis, and search for the possible solution to overcome this post operative complication, which leads to lengthy hospital stay and increases the cost of treatment. We conducted a retrospective study for all the registered cases of appendicitis then, selected cases of perforated and gangrenous appendicitis. Prevalence of wound infection in this group was 28%, which is within the accepted range. We have reviewed the literature searching for the methods to help us to avoid or decrease this complication. In conclusion we found that there is no use of practicing delayed primary wound closure for perforated or gangrenous appendicitis, but laparscopic appendectomy can dramatically decrease the chance of wound infection and shorten duration of surgery in expert hand by improving instruments and techniques which can decrease the incidence intraabdominal abscess