Randomized, prospective trial of topical hydrogen peroxide in appendectomy wound infection. High risk factors

Two hundred seventeen patients were admitted to a randomized and prospective trial of the use of topical hydrogen peroxide prophylactically against wound infection after appendectomy through a gridiron incision. One hundred nine patients received topical hydrogen peroxide and 108 patients were in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the wound infection rates in the two groups. Risk factors found to be associated with a significantly higher wound infection rate were (1) age greater than 40 years, (2) duration of symptoms of over 36 hours, (3) generalized guarding, tenderness or rebound, (4) state of the appendix at operation, (5) serous or purulent peritoneal effusion, (6) subjective difficulty of operation as assessed by the surgeons, and (7) positive bacterial culture from the appendicular fossa.