Ongoing Clinical Trials for Perforated Appendicitis
This article provides information about an ongoing clinical trial investigating a new approach to prevent complications after surgery for perforated appendicitis. The trial tests whether washing the abdominal cavity with antibiotics during surgery can reduce the risk of developing abscesses in patients with complicated appendicitis.
Clinical trial locations
Study on Using Gentamicin and Clindamycin to Prevent Abscesses After Surgery for Complicated Appendicitis in Patients
This clinical trial is exploring a new method to prevent abscesses, which are pockets of pus that can develop in the abdomen after surgery for complicated appendicitis. The study is taking place in the Netherlands and is expected to continue recruiting participants through 2025, with monitoring continuing until 2027.
Main focus and goal: The trial investigates whether washing the abdominal cavity with antibiotics during surgery can reduce the risk of developing an intra-abdominal abscess by at least 50%. After surgeons remove the inflamed appendix using minimally invasive techniques, they wash the inside of the abdomen with a solution containing two antibiotics for three minutes. Researchers will then monitor patients for 30 days to check for abscesses and continue general follow-up for up to 90 days to observe wound infections, the need for additional treatment, and overall recovery.
Investigational drugs: The study uses two antibiotics applied directly to the abdominal area during surgery:
- Gentamicin – An antibiotic that works by stopping bacteria from making proteins they need to survive. It targets a wide range of bacteria and belongs to a class of medications called aminoglycosides.
- Clindamycin – Another antibiotic that prevents bacteria from growing by blocking their ability to make proteins. It is classified as a lincosamide antibiotic.
Who can participate:
- Patients aged 8 years or older
- Those with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis before surgery, with or without signs of complications
- Patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy, which is a minimally invasive surgery using small cuts and a camera to remove the appendix
- Cases where complicated appendicitis is confirmed during the operation
- Both males and females can participate
- Participants must be able to provide written consent, meaning they understand and agree to join the study
Who cannot participate:
- Patients with known allergies to gentamicin or clindamycin, or a history of severe allergic reactions to any medications
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as the treatment might affect the baby
- Patients with other serious health conditions that could interfere with understanding the study results
- Those unable to follow study procedures, such as attending appointments or taking prescribed medications
- Patients already participating in another clinical trial
Summary
Currently, there is one active clinical trial for perforated appendicitis, taking place in the Netherlands. This study focuses on preventing one of the most common complications after surgery for complicated appendicitis: the development of abscesses in the abdominal cavity. The approach being tested involves using two well-known antibiotics, gentamicin and clindamycin, applied directly during surgery rather than given as pills or injections afterward.
The trial is open to a broad age range, accepting patients from 8 years old and upward, which reflects the fact that appendicitis can affect both children and adults. The study uses minimally invasive surgical techniques, which typically involve smaller incisions and faster recovery times compared to traditional open surgery. Participants will be monitored closely for three months after their surgery to evaluate both the safety and effectiveness of this preventive approach.
This research represents an effort to improve outcomes for patients with complicated appendicitis by finding better ways to prevent post-surgical complications that can prolong recovery and require additional treatment.
