In a study of 1570 adult appendectomy patients, intraoperative swabs were taken in 29%, revealing a 51% bacterial isolation rate, higher in complicated appendicitis. A positive swab correlated significantly with worse postoperative outcomes, increased morbidity, re-surgery, and longer hospital stay. Positive swabs were independent risk factors for morbidity and the need to adjust postoperative antibiotics. While swab analysis identifies higher-risk patients, the frequency of antibiotic changes based on the analysis is low, suggesting limited impact on postoperative antibiotic therapy adjustments.
Journal Article by Bancke Laverde BL, Maak M (…) Brunner M et 6 al. in Int J Colorectal Dis
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