SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS AFTER EMERGENCY OPEN APPENDECTOMY AT A SUBDISTRICT HEALTH FACILITY.

Surgical site infections (SSI) are one of the most common complications after emergency open appendectomy1. They increase postoperative morbidity and increase hospital stay and operative costs. This study was aimed at studying the postoperative period of patients who developed SSI following emergency open appendectomy. This study Materials and Methods: was retrospective in design and was carried at a public sub district hospital level of hilly district of Ramban, J &K. Patients who were operated in emergency setting from march 2019 to March 2023 were analyzed by obtaining medical record from the operation theatre and surgery ward of the hospital. Those patients who developed SSI were studied regarding type of SSI, hospital stay, need for open drainage or re exploration. Results: Total number of patients studied was 60. 12 patients developed SSI. 8 patients had superficial SSI, 3 developed deep whereas 1 patient developed organ space SSI.SSIs developed in 8.9% of the patients who had uncomplicated appendicitis where as in complicated appendicitis rate of SSI was 53.3%.in comorbid patients rate of SSI was 30% while in patients with no comorbidity SSI rate was 15%. Antibiotics were given in all patients. Open drainage was performed in 3 patients and 1 patients needed abdominal re exploration. Average hospital stay for such patients was 6 days. Conclusion: Surgical site infections are one of the commonest complications of emergency open appendectomy for patients who develop acute appendicitis. SSIs increase perioperative morbidity and warrant further procedures thus putting a strain on hospital resources besides needing antibiotics and increasing hospital stay.