Management of wound infection after appendectomy: are parenteral antibiotics useful?

• Published in: Eastern Mediterranean health journal Vol. 8; no. 4-5; p. 638
• Main Authors: Harahsheh, B, Hiyasat, B, Abulail, A, Al-Basheer, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Egypt 01.07.2002
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Anti-Infective Agents - therapeutic use; Antisepsis - methods; Antisepsis - standards; Appendectomy - adverse effects; Bandages - standards; Cefoxitin - therapeutic use; Combined Modality Therapy; Drug Therapy, Combination; Follow-Up Studies; Hospitals, District; Hospitals, General; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Jordan; Length of Stay - statistics & numerical data; Metronidazole - therapeutic use; Patient Selection; Postoperative Care - methods; Postoperative Care - standards; Povidone-Iodine - therapeutic use; Single-Blind Method; Skin Care - methods; Skin Care - standards; Surgical Wound Infection - drug therapy; Surgical Wound Infection - etiology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1020-3397

This study investigated the use of antibiotics in the treatment of wound infections after appendectomy. The subjects were 72 patients with post-operative wound infections at a district general hospital in Jordan. All patients received daily antiseptic dressings with povidone-iodine 10% in alcohol. The patients were randomized in a single-blind trial to receive either no antibiotics or parenteral antibiotics metronidazole and cefoxitin. There was no significant effect of antibiotic use in patients with early inflamed or severely inflamed appendicitis. However, for patients with perforated appendicitis the mean length of hospital stay and the mean frequency of change of dressings were significantly reduced. We conclude that antibiotics do not offer any advantage in post-appendectomy wound infections except for cases of perforated appendix.