title: Comparison of rate of surgical wound infection, length of hospital stay and patient convenience in complicated appendicitis between primary closure and delayed primary closure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the difference in the rate of surgical wound infection, patient's convenience and length of hospital stay between Primary Closure and Delayed Primary Closure in cases of complicated appendicitis in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomised control trial was conducted at the Combined Military Hospital, Kharian and Malir from June 5, 2006, to September 10, 2009. Patients > or = 15 years of both gender who underwent appendectomy through grid iron or Lanz incision and having complicated appendicitis were included. The 100 patients who were included in the study out of the initial size of 393, were randomised into two equal groups of 50 each (Group A: Primary Closure; Group B: Delayed Primary Closure) using a computer-generated table. All the surgeries were done by the same surgeon and the operative steps and antibiotic coverage were standardised. The rate of surgical wound infection, patient's convenience (on visual analogue scale in mm) and the length of hospital stay were recorded. Data was analysed using SPSS version 11, and p value was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic data, comorbids and medication of both the groups was comparable. There was no significant difference in rate of surgical wound infection (p > 0.05). The difference in patient's convenience and length of hospital stay were significant (p < 0.05), showing superiority of Primary Closure over Delayed Primary Closure with no added morbidity/mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary Closure in complicated appendicitis not only reduces the cost of treatment, but is also more convenient and satisfying for the patients, with no added risk of surgical wound infection.
authors: Department of Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Malir, Karachi. khizarikhan@yahoo.com
authors: Khizar Ishtiaque
authors: KI
authors: Khan
authors: Shahid
authors: S
authors: Mahmood
authors: Muhammad
authors: M
authors: Akmal
authors: Ahmed
authors: A
authors: Waqas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome