Surgical wound infection post surgery in perforated appendicitis in children.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the rate of wound infection of perforated appendicitis in children between primary wound closure and delayed primary wound closure.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
Children diagnosed with perforated appendicitis between January 1999 and December 1999 received gentamicin and metronidazole pre- and post-operatively. Intra-abdominal fluid cultured and tested for sensitivity. The rate of wound infection, skin closure for patients were compared between primary wound closure and delayed primary wound closure.


RESULTS
Among 198 children diagnosed with appendicitis, 44 cases were perforated (22.22%). Of these 44 cases, 8 cases had wound infection (18.18%), 2 of 8 Infected cases (9.1%) were in the primary wound closure group, 6 of 8 (27.3%) were in the delayed primary wound closure group.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of wound infection from perforated appendicitis in children is still high. Primary wound closure has a significantly lower rate of wound infection compared with delayed primary wound closure.
Department of Surgery, Surin Hospital, Thailand.
Wichate
W
Chatwiriyacharoen
D000293:Adolescent; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors