Delayed primary wound closure using skin tapes for advanced appendicitis in children. A prospective, controlled study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Surgical Site Infections
• Appendicitis Management

Background:

• Advanced appendicitis, including perforated and gangrenous cases, presents challenges in wound management.
• The choice between immediate and delayed primary wound closure impacts healing and complication rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of immediate versus delayed primary wound closure in children with advanced appendicitis.
• To evaluate the effect on wound infection, healing duration, and nonseptic complications.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year study involving 63 pediatric patients with advanced appendicitis.
• Patients were randomized to either immediate or delayed primary wound closure post-appendectomy.
• Wound infection rates, healing times for infected and noninfected wounds, and complications were recorded.

Main Results:

• Wound infection incidence was similar between immediate (21.1%) and delayed (24.0%) closure groups.
• Healing of infected wounds was not significantly different between groups.
• Noninfected wounds healed significantly faster with immediate closure (7.0 days) compared to delayed closure (19.3 days).
• Immediate closure was associated with fewer nonseptic complications and shorter rehabilitation.

Conclusions:

• Delayed primary wound closure does not provide additional benefits over immediate closure for advanced appendicitis in children.
• Immediate wound closure promotes faster healing of noninfected wounds and reduces overall complications and rehabilitation time.