NONDRAINAGE AND EARLY AMBULATION IN CASES OF PERFORATIVE APPENDICITIS

THIS paper is a study of 15 cases of perforative appendicitis with peritonitis or abscess formation in which the appendix was removed, sulfathiazole was employed intraperitoneally, the incision was closed without drainage and spinal anesthesia and early ambulation were used. There were no deaths; a secondary intraperitoneal abscess requiring drainage occurred in 1 case. There were no other complications and no purulent wound infections. Penicillin was administered in the last 7 cases. From this small series of cases the following conclusions have been deduced: Nondrainage in cases of perforative appendicitis with peritonitis is preferable to drainage. It is safe, and is desirable because it eliminates prolonged drainage and wound infection and minimizes the hazard of such postoperative sequelae as adhesions, hernia, fistula and obstruction. It shortens the stay in the hospital, saves dressings and bandages, lessens expense to the patient and lowers mortality. It is, moreover, impossible to drain the