title: Role of dissemination of microorganisms during laparoscopic appendectomy in abscess formation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the potential contributory role of laparoscopic appendectomy in the occurrence of postoperative intra-abdominal infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective single-center study including 48 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy was conducted between August 2010 and September 2011. Two peritoneal samples were obtained from each patient in the pre- and post-appendectomy period. Aerobic and anaerobic microbiological cultures were obtained from the samples. The data were analyzed with statistical methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the 48 patients (29 male, 19 female) was 10.9 years. Among the pre-appendectomy aerobic cultures, microorganisms were isolated in 18 of the patients (38%), with Escherichia coli being the most common. In post-appendectomy aerobic cultures, various bacteria were isolated in 7 patients (14.6%), with the numbers of bacteria statistically significantly reduced (p<0.05). Anaerobic microorganisms were isolated in 12 patients (25%) and 4 patients (8.3%) in pre- and post-appendectomy cultures, respectively, with Bacteroides fragilis the most common organism; there was a significant reduction in the bacterial count (p<0.05). Each patient was regarded as their own control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that laparoscopic appendectomy does not cause an increase in intra-abdominal infections, and particularly not infections associated with anaerobic bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Melih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akın
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Başak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erginel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yıldız
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bayraktar
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yanar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cetin Ali
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Karadağ
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nihat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sever
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali Ihsan
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Dokucu
mesh_terms: D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059413:Intraabdominal Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination