Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infections after Paediatric Appendectomies in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Coastal Karnataka

Surgical site infections (SSIs) occur in 1.3% to 4% of peadiatric appendectomies. It is the most common complication after an appendectomy. Surgical complications in paediatric patients increase patient susceptibility to opportunistic infections, falls and drug-related side effects The aim of this study was to identify the modifiable risk factors for SSIs after paediatric appendectomies. Paediatric patients who underwent appendectomies from April 2018 to April 2023 in a tertiary care teaching hospital in coastal Karnataka were included. Clinical characteristics of patients were collected from the medical records of the patients. A total of 459 paediatric patients underwent appendectomies between 2018 and 2023.