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 .
Wound infection following appendicectomy: The effect of extraperitoneal wound drainage and systemic antibiotic prophylaxis
The value of extraperitoneal wound drainage and a 3‐day course of prophylactic systemic cephaloridine used both separately and together have been assessed in a prospect i ve controlled r and omized trial involving 246 patients undergoing appendicectomy at the Leicester Royal Infirmary .  Extraperitoneal wound drainage was shown to reduce significantly the incidence of post‐operative wound infection in patients with a gangrenous or perforated appendix ( P<0·025 ) . Prophylactic cephaloridine significantly reduced the overall incidence of wound infection ( P<0·02 ) and was also effective when the appendix was gangrenous or perforated ( P<0·01 ) . A highly significant reduction in wound infection was achieved when the appendix was gangrenous or perforated by the addition of wound drainage to the antibiotic regimen ( P<0·001 )
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 .