Editing Appendectomy (section)

== Complications ==
One of the most common post-operative complications associated with an appendectomy is the development of a surgical site infection (SSI).<ref name=":5" /> Signs and symptoms indicative of a superficial SSI are redness, swelling, and tenderness surrounding the incision and are most likely to arise on post-operative day 4 or 5. These symptoms oftentimes precede fluid drainage from the incision. Tenderness extending beyond the redness that surrounds the incision, in addition to the development of cutaneous [[Vesicle (dermatology)|vesicles]] or bullae may be indicative of a deep SSI.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book|title=Sabiston Textbook of Surgery|last=Townsend|first=Courtney|publisher=Elsevier, Inc.|year=2017|pages=241–280}}</ref>

Patients with complicated appendicitis (perforated appendicitis) are more likely to develop a SSI, abdominal abscess, or pelvic abscess during the post-operative period. Placement of an abdominal drain was originally thought to reduce the risk of these post-operative complications. However, abdominal drains have not been found to play a significant role in reducing SSIs and have led to increased length of stay in the hospital in addition to increased cost of the operation.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Cheng|first1=Yao|last2=Zhou|first2=Shiyi|last3=Zhou|first3=Rongxing|last4=Lu|first4=Jiong|last5=Wu|first5=Sijia|last6=Xiong|first6=Xianze|last7=Ye|first7=Hui|last8=Lin|first8=Yixin|last9=Wu|first9=Taixiang|last10=Cheng|first10=Nansheng|date=2015-02-07|title=Abdominal drainage to prevent intra-peritoneal abscess after open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|issue=2|pages=CD010168|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD010168.pub2|issn=1469-493X|pmid=25914903}}</ref>