There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rates of intra-peritoneal abscess or wound infection .
It is not clear whether routine abdominal drainage has any effect on the prevention of intra-peritoneal abscess after open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis .
Abdominal drainage after an emergency open appendectomy may be associated with delayed hospital discharge for patients with complicated appendicitis
BACKGROUND Appendectomy , the surgical removal of the appendix , is performed primarily for acute appendicitis .
Patients who undergo appendectomy for complicated appendicitis , defined as gangrenous or perforated appendicitis , are more likely to suffer from postoperative complications .
The routine use of abdominal drainage to reduce postoperative complications after appendectomy for complicated appendicitis is controversial .
OBJECTIVES To assess the safety and efficacy of abdominal drainage to prevent intra-peritoneal abscess after open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis .
Peritoneal lavage versus drainage for perforated appendicitis in children
A total of 231 children with acute appendicitis were treated at our hospitals during the 10 years between 1984 and 1993 , 53 of whom had a perforated appendix . These 53 patients were r and omly assigned to two groups at the time of surgery according to the different procedures performed . Thus , 29 children were managed by appendectomy followed by peritoneal lavage using a large amount of saline , and intravenous antibiotic therapy consisting of aminoglycoside and cephem ( lavage group ) , while the other 24 children were treated by appendectomy with silicon tube drainage and the same systemic antibiotic therapy ( drainage group ) . The mean length of hospitalization , and the mean duration s of fever and the need for fasting after laparotomy in the lavage group were significantly less than those in the drainage group : 10.1 versus 18.8 days , 2.8 versus 7.7 days , and 1.8 versus 3.5 days , respectively . The operation wounds healed well in the lavage group due to the fact that there was no drain . Wound infections occurred in two children from the lavage group and six from the drainage group . Intra-abdominal abscesses occurred in two children from the drainage group . Accordingly , peritoneal lavage appears to be superior to intraperitoneal tube drainage for the management of perforated appendicitis in children
There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rates of intra-peritoneal abscess or wound infection .
It is not clear whether routine abdominal drainage has any effect on the prevention of intra-peritoneal abscess after open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis .
Abdominal drainage after an emergency open appendectomy may be associated with delayed hospital discharge for patients with complicated appendicitis
BACKGROUND Appendectomy , the surgical removal of the appendix , is performed primarily for acute appendicitis .
Patients who undergo appendectomy for complicated appendicitis , defined as gangrenous or perforated appendicitis , are more likely to suffer from postoperative complications .
The routine use of abdominal drainage to reduce postoperative complications after appendectomy for complicated appendicitis is controversial .
OBJECTIVES To assess the safety and efficacy of abdominal drainage to prevent intra-peritoneal abscess after open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis .