A Study of Acute Appendicitis with Perforation with Special Emphasis on Sulfonamide Therapy

The Permanente Journal/ Summer 2001/ Volume 5 No. 3 There have been 427 appendectomies performed in this hospital since August 1942. Fifty-one perforated appendixes were encountered. There have been no deaths in the combined series. The different pathological forms and other data of acute appendicitis with perforation, which we have encountered, are outlined in the charts below accompanied by a discussion of each type. In the following charts, statistics have been compiled concerning the length of illness prior to hospital entry, the number of days sulfonamides were given postoperatively, sulfonamide levels maintained postoperatively, the complications and the number of days in the hospital. In addition, indications are made as to whether sulfonamides were placed in the wound and whether the wound was drained. The same routine was carried out in all the patients with regards to sulfonamide therapy except for a few minor variations. Ten grams of sulfathiazole were placed within the abdomen in the form of an emulsion. Five grams of sulfathiazole were placed in the form of an emulsion in the separate layers of the wound. Wangensteen naso-gastric suction was used in most cases postopKaiser Permanente Medicine 50 Years Ago: A Study of Acute Appendicitis with Perforation with Special Emphasis on Sulfonamide Therapy —A Preliminary Report