Comparison of the Frequency of Superficial Surgical Site Infections Between Laparoscopic Versus Open Appendectomy

his randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the frequency of superficial surgical site infections (SSIs) following laparoscopic appendectomy and open appendectomy in patients undergoing surgical treatment for acute appendicitis. The study was carried out in the Department of Surgery, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, over a period of six months from 24 January 2026 to 23 July 2026. A total of 276 patients were included in the study, with 138 participants allocated to each treatment group. Patients enrolled in the trial were assigned to one of two study groups according to the study protocol. Group A underwent laparoscopic appendectomy, while Group B underwent open appendectomy. The purpose of the comparison was to determine whether the operative approach was associated with a difference in the occurrence of superficial surgical site infection after appendectomy. The study therefore evaluated two established surgical approaches for the same clinical condition while maintaining a randomized comparative design.

The primary outcome of the study was the frequency of superficial surgical site infection after appendectomy. Superficial surgical site infection refers to infection involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue at the surgical incision. The occurrence of this postoperative complication was assessed in participants in both groups using the same outcome definition and follow-up approach specified in the study protocol. The frequency of superficial SSI was then compared between the laparoscopic and open appendectomy groups.

The study was designed as an interventional randomized controlled trial. Participants were assigned to an intervention group on the basis of the study protocol rather than simply being observed according to the treatment they would otherwise have received. The intervention under investigation was the operative approach: laparoscopic appendectomy versus open appendectomy. No investigational drug or biologic product was evaluated, and the study was not conducted under a U.S. Food and Drug Administration Investigational New Drug application. Likewise, the study did not investigate a U.S. FDA-regulated device as the intervention and was not conducted under an Investigational Device Exemption.

The study population consisted of patients undergoing appendectomy at the Department of Surgery, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. Eligible participants were enrolled according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study protocol. Participants in the laparoscopic group received appendectomy through the laparoscopic approach, whereas participants in the open group received appendectomy through the conventional open approach. Perioperative care and postoperative assessment were conducted according to the institutional surgical protocol and the requirements of the study. Data were collected prospectively during the study period and were used to assess the postoperative outcome of interest. The incidence of superficial surgical site infection was recorded for participants in each treatment group. The results were subsequently compared between the two groups to determine the observed difference in the frequency of superficial SSI following laparoscopic versus open appendectomy. The analysis was based on the predefined study outcome and the randomized allocation of participants.

The trial was conducted in a hospital surgical setting and included a total sample of 276 participants, providing 138 participants in each group. The study was intended to generate comparative clinical evidence regarding superficial wound infection after the two operative approaches. By directly comparing laparoscopic and open appendectomy within a randomized controlled trial, the study provides a structured assessment of the postoperative wound-related outcome in the enrolled patient population.

The study was undertaken after institutional ethical oversight and approval in accordance with the applicable requirements. Written informed consent was obtained from participants before enrollment, as specified in the study protocol. Participant information was handled confidentially, and study procedures were conducted in accordance with the approved protocol and institutional requirements.

The trial compares superficial surgical site infection between patients undergoing laparoscopic and open appendectomy at the study center. Its focus is the wound outcome associated with the two surgical approaches