title: Antiseptic wick: does it reduce the incidence of wound infection following appendectomy?
abstract: The role of prophylactic antibiotics is well established for contaminated wounds, but the use of antiseptic wound wicks is controversial. The aim of this work was to study the potential use of wound wicks to reduce the rate of infection following appendectomy. This prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at a university hospital in the department of surgery. The subjects were patients undergoing appendectomy for definite acute appendicitis. They were randomized by computer to primary subcuticular wound closure or use of an antiseptic wound wick. For the latter, ribbon gauze soaked in povidone-iodine was placed between interrupted nylon skin sutures. Wicks were soaked daily and removed on the fourth postoperative day. All patients received antibiotic prophylaxis. They were reviewed while in hospital and 4 weeks following operation for evidence of wound infection. The main outcome measures were wound infection, wound discomfort, and cosmetic result. The overall wound infection rate was 8.6% (15/174). In patients with wound wicks it was 11.6% (10/86) compared to 5.6% (5/88) in those whose wounds were closed by subcuticular sutures (p = NS). We concluded that the use of wound wicks was not associated with decreased wound infection rates following appendectomy. Subcuticular closure is therefore appropriate in view of its greater convenience and safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Professorial Unit, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Gerald T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: McGreal
authors.forename: Aislinn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joy
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manning
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: W William O
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Kirwan
authors.forename: H Paul
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Redmond
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D011206:Povidone-Iodine