The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Significant reduction of wound infections with daily probing of contaminated wounds. A prospective randomized clinical trial. Arch Surg 2011; 146: 448–452.

Published: 5th August 2011

Authors: Towfigh S, Clarke T, Yacoub W, Pooli AH, Mason RJ, Katkhouda N et al.

Conclusion

Some 76 patients who had open appendicectomy for perforated appendicitis were included. All wounds were loosely closed with staples, and patients were randomly allocated to daily wound probing or control groups. Daily probing reduced the rate of surgical site infection (3 vs. 19 per cent, P=0.03) and shortened hospital stay (5 vs. 7 days, P=0.049).

Pubmed Link