DRAIN VERSUS NO DRAIN AFTER OPEN APPENDECTOMY FOR COMPLICATED APPENDICITIS

Abstract

Introduction Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of emergency abdominal surgery, with a lifetime risk of 7–8%.Most cases are uncomplicated and treated with appendectomy or, in some cases, antibiotics alone. However, complicated appendicitis—such as perforation or gangrene presents greater challenges and higher risks of postoperative complications like wound infection, abscess, sepsis, and longer hospital stays. Classic symptoms, including anorexia, periumbilical pain shifting to right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting, appear in only about half of cases. Nausea and anorexia are particularly frequent. Older patients and males are more prone to complicated cases. A major surgical debate concerns the use of abdominal drains. Some surgeons support routine drainage to reduce postoperative infections, especially in complicated appendicitis. Others argue that drains do not lower complication rates and may increase drain-related risks. Therefore, the use of drains requires careful intraoperative and postoperative consideration.AimThe aim of this randomized controlled study is to compare the incidence of post-operative complications (infected collections) in patients with complicated appendicitis undergoing open appendectomy using abdominal drain versus no drain.