BACKGROUND

Interest in surgical site infections (SSI) has been sustained over the years because its occurrence may be ruinous to the overall success of surgical operations. The use of antimicrobial suture has been associated with a reduction in SSI, but its role in open appendectomy has not been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the effect of fascia closure with triclosan-coated polydioxanone (PDS) with plain PDS on SSI in appendectomy wounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-three consecutive patients who had open appendectomy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis were randomised to either have fascia closure with triclosan-coated PDS (TCS) or plain PDS. Post-operative wound infection rates were compared.

RESULTS

SSI occurred in three of the 93 patients (3.2%), two of these occurred in the plain suture group, while one occurred in the TCS group (4.2% vs. 2.2%, = 0). All three SSIs were superficial. was the predominant organism isolated in the infected wounds.

CONCLUSION

The use of triclosan-coated polydioxanone for fascia closure in open appendectomy did not significantly affect the rate or severity of SSI. Further studies, perhaps evaluating the use of TCS in a different anatomical plane or complicated appendicitis are recommended.