Use of Antibiotic Irrigation to Decrease Wound Infections in Pediatric Perforated Appendicitis

Use of Antibiotic Irrigation to Decrease Wound Infections in Pediatric Perforated Appendicitis

The proposed study will investigate whether antibiotic irrigation using a gentamicin/clindamycin solution during laparoscopic appendectomy is superior in preventing postoperative wound infections and IAA in perforated appendicitis compared to suction without irrigation. This will be the first prospective study to compare these two options in pediatric PA.

This study is for pediatric patients who are having an appendectomy and have a perforated appendix. The purpose of this study is to see whether antibiotic irrigation using gentamicin, clindamycin and suction during the surgery works better when compared to suction alone when cleaning the stomach cavity.

Arm A patients will have their abdomen irrigated with the antibiotics, gentamycin and clindamycin, and then the wound will be suctioned out. Arm B patients will not have the antibiotic irrigation but will have their wound suctioned.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female, age 18 years or younger
2. Scheduled to undergo laparoscopic appendectomy
3. Preoperative or intra-operative diagnosis of perforated appendicitis (PA).
4. Willingness to undergo treatments, provide written informed consent, and participate in follow-up.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female older than 18 years of age
2. Declined to undergo laparoscopic appendectomy
3. Not willing to provide written informed consent or undergo randomization of treatment
4. Pregnancy