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WOUND AND INTRAPERITONEAL INFECTION FOLLOWING APPENDICECTOMY FOR PEFORATED OR GANGRENOUS APPENDICITIS
Author(s) -
MacKellar A.,
Mackay Athol J.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1986.tb02361.x
Subject(s) - medicine , appendicitis , surgery , wound infection , general surgery , appendix , acute appendicitis , antibiotics , bacteriology , paleontology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , genetics , bacteria
A series of 158 children, who were operated on for perforated or gangrenous appendicitis between 1980 and 1984 inclusive, are reviewed. A protocol of management, based on the results of bacteriology of the perforated appendix was introduced and the guidelines followed in all but four instances. Eight patients (5.0%) developed postoperative infections, either in the wound or intraperitoneally. The frequency of infection was affected by the adherence to protocol, as 50% of the infections occured in patients who did not receive preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis. The use of drainage also contributed to the frequency of wound infection. Thorough peritoneal lavage and meticulous surgical technique should reduce the need for drainage.