Effect of Peri-operative Supplemental Oxygen in Wound Infection After Appendectomy

Patient with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis of >15 years of age group, with no comorbidities who presented to surgical emergency in Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital were considered for the present study.

30 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and who voluntarily consented for the study were randomly allocated to the two groups- Group A (control group) and Group B (study group).

These patients were operated through Mc-Burney incision given in the right lower quadrant.

Both the groups were comparable in their demographic and preoperative profile. The study group was given ≥50% of oxygen intraoperatively and the control group was given no oxygen.

In postoperative period, oxygen was given to group A at the rate of 4 litre/minute (L/min) and group B at the rate of 6 litre/minute (L/min).

The assessment of the wound was done by using ASEPSIS (Additional treatment; Serous discharge; Erythema; Purulent exudate; Separation of deep tissues; Isolation of bacteria; and Stay) score. A score of more than 20 is considered to be infected.

Fever, raised total leucocyte count, positive pus culture, Ultrasound evidence of fluid collections, removal of sutures and duration of hospital stay were also measured for the evaluation of economic implications due to SSI.

Inclusion criteria

• Clinical diagnosis or Radiological diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
• Appendectomy through the Mc Burney incision.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
• Immunodeficiency disease.
• Patients requiring midline incision.
• Patients requiring general anaesthesia after failure of spinal anaesthesia.
• Patients requiring higher oxygen in perioperative period.