REDUCED INCIDENCE OF EARLY COMPLICATIONS OF SURGICAL WOUNDS IN LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

The incidence of early wound related complications is assessed in laparoscopic versus open abdominal surgeries. Complications of surgical wounds (esp. wound infections) are considered as a major problem in surgery wards. Complications of surgical wounds are classified as early and late. Common and early complications are hematoma, seroma and wound infection. The medical records of 104 elective laparoscopic (A) and 106 diagnosis matched open surgeries (B) including appendectomy, cholecystectomy, ventral hernia repair, and bariatric surgery were prospectively reviewed. Study data included patients` sex, age, wound class, type of operation, and occurrence of early wound related complications. Surgical wounds were evaluated for presence of early complications during the post-op period and 10 to 15 days after the operation. The two groups were not different regarding age, sex and woundclasses. No patients in group A and 7 patients in group B developed wound infection (p<0.05). Incidence of hematoma was similar in the two groups; one case in each. No patient in the two groups experienced seroma nor wound dehiscence. Gender, age and wound classes were not associated with higher rates of wound complications. Laparoscopic surgery significantly reduced the incidence of early wound complications, especially wound infection, and is a safe and effective alternative to conventional open procedures.