Topical antiseptics in addition to peroperative antibiotics in preventing post-appendicectomy wound infections
Galland, R.B.; Karlowski, T.; Midwood, C.J.; Madden, M.V.; Carmalt, H.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 65(6): 397-399
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-8843 PMID: 6357036 Document Number: 197420
The effect of using topical povidone-iodine spray in addition to a single dose of i.v. metronidazole was studied in a clinical trial involving 200 patients undergoing appendicectomy. Despite the metronidazole, patients with perforated or gangrenous appendices still had an unacceptably high rate of wound infection. No benefit resulted from the addition of the povidone-iodine spray. Subdividing the patients according to the macroscopic state of the appendix, the degree of bacterial contamination of the operative wound or the depth of s.c. fat also failed to reveal any advantage gained by using the antiseptic.