Comparison o frequency of postoperative wound infection with the use of scapel/diathermy during electiv cholecystectomy

ABSTRACT

To determine frequency of postoperative wound infection with the use of scalpel /diathermy during elective cholecystectomy. Cross sectional [comparative] study. Surgical department unit IV, Military Hospital Rawalpindi and PNS Shifa Karachi, from September 2004 to March 2005. All patients [female and male] presenting with symptomatic gall stones who underwent open cholecystectomy through standard right upper transverse incision were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A included 30 patients who underwent open cholecystectomy with scalpel and group B included 30 patients who underwent open cholecystectomy with diathermy. All patients who were having any co-morbid conditions like, diabetes mellitus, immuno-compromised state, pre existing infection at the site of skin incision and previous surgery were excluded. It was observed that out of 60 patients only 3 patients developed post operative wound infection In group A out of 30 patients with scalpel cutting only 1 patient developed wound infection which is 3.3% while in group B out of 30 patients with diathermy cutting only two patients developed wound infection which is 6.6%. Various other observations were found that males who developed cholelithiasis were 8.33% and females were 91.66%. Age distribution was minimum 27 years, maximum 75 years and mean age was 48.8 years. This study concluded that ratio of wound infection with scalpel cutting is less as compared to diathermic cutting and we can protect the patient from wound infection with the use of scalpel