Simple acute appendicitis versus non-perforated gangrenous appendicitis: is there a difference in the rate of post-operative infectious complications?

BACKGROUND

According to the 2002 Surgical Infection Society Guidelines on Antimicrobial Therapy for Intra-abdominal Infections, antimicrobial therapy is not recommended beyond 24 hours for the treatment of postoperative acute or gangrenous appendicitis without perforation. However, clinicians commonly consider gangrenous appendicitis to pose a greater risk of post-operative infectious complications, such as surgical site infections and intra-abdominal abscesses. This study examines the relative risk of post-operative infection between patients with simple and gangrenous appendicitis.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with either non-perforated gangrenous or simple appendicitis from 2010 to 2012 was performed at a large urban teaching hospital.

RESULTS

The rate of post-operative intra-abdominal abscess formation, which was diagnosed on patient readmission to the hospital, was significantly greater in patients with non-perforated gangrenous appendicitis in comparison to those with simple non-perforated appendicitis. Also, patients with non-perforated gangrenous appendicitis received extended courses of post-operative antibiotics, despite SIS recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

The role of peri-operative antibiotics for non-perforated gangrenous appendicitis merits further study.