Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026
Surgical Closure of Equine Abdomen, Prevention, and Management of Incisional Complications
Published on: May 10, 2024
Post-appendectomy surgical site infection rate after using an antimicrobial film incise drape: a prospective study
Saleh M Al-Qahtani1, Hani M Al-Amoudi, Suhad Al-Jehani
11 Department of Surgery, King Fahd General Hospital , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia .
Background:
An appendectomy is a contaminated or potentially dirty surgical procedure that can be associated with surgical site infection (SSI).
Methods:
A single-center unblinded prospective cohort study examined the role of antimicrobial incise film drapes in lowering the rate of SSI after appendectomy. Any patient aged 12 years or older who was scheduled for open appendectomy for acute appendicitis was included. Patients were assigned to two groups. Group 1 (n=52) had the standard five-minute skin preparation with 10% povidone-iodine soap followed by the application of an antimicrobial film incise drape, and group 2 (n=39) had the standard skin preparation alone.
Results:
Six (11.5%) of the 52 patients who had the antimicrobial film incise drape and two (5.1%) of the 39 patients who did not have the drape developed SSI (p=NS). Of the six patients in the antimicrobial film group with post-operative SSI, three had a perforated appendix, two had a gangrenous appendix, and one had an inflamed appendix. In group 2, one patient had an inflamed appendix and the other had a perforated appendix. The median length of stay in the hospital was two days (range 1-11 days) for both groups.
Conclusion:
Our study did not support the view that antimicrobial film incise drapes can lower the rate of post-appendectomy SSI. Moreover, the length of stay was not minimized by the use of these drapes.
Insights
Antimicrobial film drapes did not reduce surgical site infections (SSI) after appendectomy in this study. The drapes also did not shorten hospital stays for patients undergoing this common abdominal surgery.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Infection Prevention
- Medical Device Efficacy
- Appendectomy Outcomes
Background:
- Appendectomy is a surgical procedure with a risk of surgical site infection (SSI).
- Contaminated or dirty procedures like appendectomy necessitate infection control measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial incise film drapes in reducing SSI rates after appendectomy.
- To determine if antimicrobial film drapes impact hospital length of stay post-appendectomy.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study involving patients aged 12+ undergoing open appendectomy for acute appendicitis.
- Comparison of two groups: one with antimicrobial film drapes and standard skin prep, the other with standard skin prep alone.
- Data collection on SSI development and hospital length of stay.
Main Results:
- Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were 11.5% with antimicrobial film drapes and 5.1% without.
- No statistically significant difference in SSI rates between the groups (p=NS).
- Median hospital length of stay was two days for both groups, indicating no benefit from the drapes.
Conclusions:
- Antimicrobial film drapes did not demonstrate a significant reduction in post-appendectomy SSI rates.
- The use of antimicrobial film drapes did not lead to a shorter hospital length of stay.
- Further research may be needed to explore alternative or adjunct strategies for SSI prevention in appendectomy.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
01:23Hand hygiene
Hand washing...