SURGICAL SITE INFECTION AMONG PATIENTS UNDERGOING APPENDECTOMY BY UTILIZING ANTIMICROBIAL COATED SUTURE

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) remains one of the most frequent complications following appendectomy, contributing to prolonged hospitalization, higher healthcare costs, and increased postoperative morbidity. The introduction of antimicrobial-coated sutures has been shown to reduce bacterial colonization at the incision site, potentially lowering SSI rates. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of surgical site infection among patients undergoing appendectomy using antimicrobial-coated sutures. Study Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Department of Surgery, at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan. Duration of Study: From 30-07-2023 to 30-01-2024. Methods: A total of 177 patients of either gender, aged 18–70 years, who underwent appendectomy with abdominal sheath closure using antimicrobial-coated sutures were included. Patients with end-stage renal disease or immunocompromised status were excluded. SSI was diagnosed based on clinical signs such as purulent drainage, localized pain, swelling, or fever within 10 days postoperatively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, and the association between SSI and demographic and clinical variables was assessed using the Chi-square test, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: Among 177 patients, 110 (62.1%) were male and 67 (37.9%) were female. Hypertension was present in 39 (22.0%), diabetes mellitus in 23 (13.0%), and a history of smoking in 26 (14.7%) patients. The overall SSI frequency was 12 (6.8%). A statistically significant association was observed between increasing age and SSI development (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The use of antimicrobial-coated sutures in appendectomy was associated with a relatively low rate of surgical site infection (6.8%). Increasing age was significantly related to the development of SSI, highlighting the need for targeted preventive strategies in older patients.