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Hassanieh J, Zalaquett N, Khazzeka A, El Ghazal R, Riachi M, Habib S, Zaghal A. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute appendicitis patients in a tertiary care center in Lebanon. BMC Surg 2024; 24:18. [PMID: 38191368 PMCID: PMC10775468 DOI: 10.1186/s12893-023-02273-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With it becoming a global pandemic, the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) imposed public health restraints that hampered patient's presentation to hospitals. In Lebanon, little is known about the presentation patterns of acute appendicitis (AA) patients among different population groups during the COVID-19. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rates of cases seen during the pandemic period, the adopted management strategies, and evaluate the patient outcomes compared to presentations from previous years. METHODS This is a retrospective, observational cohort study with no interventional procedures. All patients presented to our tertiary health care center were diagnosed with AA between February 2019 and February 2021 comprised the study analysis. We divided our patients into the pre-pandemic period cohort March 1st, 2019, till February 29th, 2020, and the pandemic period cohort March 1st 2020 till March 1st 2021. RESULTS We collected data retrospectively from 342 patients: 201 patients presented in the pre-pandemic period and 141 during the pandemic period. Male predominance was seen in both cohorts (51.7% and 58.9% respectively). A decrease in the number of AA cases was seen during the pandemic, however, the duration of symptoms before presentation was similar in both cohorts (p = 0.382) Additionally, the number of complicated appendicitis cases was not different between cohorts. The main imaging modality was CT in both groups with no statistically significant difference in the type of imaging between them (p = 0.398). Further, the predominant treatment modality remained surgery during the pandemic, with no difference between both periods (p = 0.200), and no statistically significant difference in the type of surgery performed as laparoscopic surgery remained the most common surgery type in the pandemic period (p = 0.43). Finally, no extra surgical and post-surgical complications were identified. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our study is an example of how the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly affect patients presenting for AA. Despite the COVID-19-related restrictions, Lebanese patients with worrying symptoms were presenting to the emergency department and the American University of Beirut Medical Center was providing them with the standards of care. Our study mirrors the Lebanese experience and gives an example of a population that focused more on their current symptoms than the fear of acquiring the COVID-19 virus. Further research is needed to assess whether this was the correct approach during these times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelle Hassanieh
- Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nader Zalaquett
- Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Alicia Khazzeka
- Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ryan El Ghazal
- Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mansour Riachi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Salim Habib
- Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ahmad Zaghal
- Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Menchaca AD, Style CC, Wang L, Cooper JN, Minneci PC, Olutoye OO. An Accountable Care Organization Maintains Access for Appendicitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Surg Res 2023; 291:336-341. [PMID: 37506433 PMCID: PMC10285208 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It has been reported that pediatric patients experienced a delay in treatment for acute appendicitis during the pandemic, resulting in increased rates of complicated appendicitis. We investigated the association of the COVID-19 pandemic and the incidence and severity of acute appendicitis among pediatric Medicaid patients using a population-based approach. METHODS The claims database of Partners For Kids, a pediatric Medicaid accountable care organization (ACO) in Ohio, was queried for cases of acute appendicitis from April to August 2017-2020. The monthly rate of acute appendicitis/100,000 covered lives was calculated each year and compared over time. Rates of complicated appendicitis were also compared. Diagnosis code validation for classification as complicated or uncomplicated appendicitis was performed for patients treated at our hospital. RESULTS During the study period, 465 unique cases of acute appendicitis were identified. Forty percent (186/465) were coded as complicated. No significant difference in the incidence of acute appendicitis cases was observed across the 4 y, either in an overall comparison or in pairwise comparisons (P > 0.15 for all). The proportion of acute appendicitis cases that were coded as complicated did vary significantly over the 4-year study period (P = 0.005); this was due to this proportion being significantly higher in 2018 than in either 2019 (P = 0.005 versus 2018) or 2020 (P = 0.03 versus 2018). CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with reduced access to treatment for acute appendicitis among patients in a pediatric Medicaid ACO. This suggests that an ACO may promote continued healthcare access for their covered population during an unexpected crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia D Menchaca
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of General Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Candace C Style
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ling Wang
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jennifer N Cooper
- Center for Surgical Outcomes Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Peter C Minneci
- Center for Surgical Outcomes Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Oluyinka O Olutoye
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.
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Kaselas C, Florou M, Tsopozidi M, Spyridakis I. Acute Appendicitis Following COVID-19 Infection in Pediatric Patients: A Single Center's Study in Greece. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2070. [PMID: 37370965 PMCID: PMC10297295 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13122070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigated the potential association between the previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive infection, as well as vaccination, and the presentation of acute appendicitis in pediatric patients. It has been three years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and city lockdowns and self-protective measures have been applied worldwide. In an effort to contribute to the research on the probable long-term complications of the COVID-19 infection as well as the vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, the current study was designed and investigated patients' health records in the post-quarantine era. METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients admitted and treated surgically for acute appendicitis from January 2022 to June 2022 was conducted. Demographic and personal data, as well as the COVID-19 infection history of each child, were recorded. The patients who were negative for a previous COVID-19 infection were excluded. For the rest of the sample, the time-to-onset of acute appendicitis, the severity of appendicitis (complicated or uncomplicated), and the vaccination status of the patients were examined. Regarding the time-to-onset of appendicitis, we divided the patients into three groups: group A with a time-to-onset < 3 months, group B with a time-to-onset of 3-6 months, and group C with a time-to-onset of >6 months. Statistical analysis followed and was considered significant if p < 0.05. RESULTS Sixty-six children with a mean age of 10.5 years (range 1-15 years) were admitted for acute appendicitis during the determined period. After excluding 30 children that were negative for previous COVID-19 infection, we divided the patients into three groups: group A-23 children, group B-7 children, and group C-6 children. A statistically significant incidence of acute appendicitis diagnosis in <3 months after laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection (p < 0.01) was found. The incidence of complicated appendicitis was greater in patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 history, with an estimated odds ratio of 1.8 (p > 0.05). The majority of the children (92%) had not received a COVID-19 vaccination. For the vaccinated children, the relative risk for complicated appendicitis was equal to 1.5 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results of our study demonstrate a potential positive relationship between COVID-19 infection and subsequent acute appendicitis in pediatric patients. There are also some speculations on the presentation of complicated cases of appendicitis following COVID-19 infection or vaccination, but these need to be further proven. Further data are required to better understand this potential complication of COVID-19 infection as well as the role of vaccines in the current post-vaccine era.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Florou
- Second Department of Pediatric Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, “Papageorgiou’’ General Hospital Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Chaves CER, Girón F, Núñez-Rocha RE, Benítez E, Ruiz S, Rodríguez L, Ayala D, Villamil CJ, Galvis V, Vanegas M, Gómez M, Nassar R, Hernández JD, Conde D, Zuleta MG. Variations in clinical course and surgical outcomes of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 Pandemic: a multicenter cohort study. BMC Surg 2023; 23:56. [PMID: 36918843 PMCID: PMC10011775 DOI: 10.1186/s12893-023-01933-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in the presentation and treatment of surgical pathologies. Therefore, we aim to describe the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical presentation and management of acute appendicitis (AAp) and its surgical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN A multicenter cohort study with prospectively collected databases. Three high-volume centers were included and all patients over 18 years of age who underwent appendectomy for AAp were included. Multiple logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression were performed, and odds ratio, relative risk, and B-coefficient were reported when appropriate, statistical significance was reached with p-values < 0.05. RESULTS 1.468 patients were included (709 in the pre-pandemic group and 759 in the COVID-19 group). Female patients constituted 51.84%. Mean age was 38.13 ± 16.96 years. Mean Alvarado's score was 7.01 ± 1.59 points. Open surgical approach was preferred in 90.12%. Conversion rate of 1.29%. Mortality rate was 0.75%. There was an increase of perforated and localized peritonitis (p 0.01) in the COVID-19 group. Presence of any postoperative complication (p 0.00), requirement of right colectomy and ileostomy (p 0.00), and mortality (p 0.04) were higher in the COVID-19 group. Patients in the pre-pandemic group have a lesser risk of mortality (OR 0.14, p 0.02, 95% CI 0.02-0.81) and a lesser relative risk of having complicated appendicitis (RR 0.68, p 0.00, 95% CI 0.54-0.86). CONCLUSION Complicated appendicitis was an unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to surgical consultation delay, increased rates of morbidity, associated procedures, and mortality, influencing the clinical course and surgical outcomes of patients with AAp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Eduardo Rey Chaves
- Department of Surgery and Specialties, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cra 6A #51A-48, 110100, Bogotá D.C, Colombia.
| | - Felipe Girón
- Department of Surgery, Fundación Santa Fé de Bogotá, Bogotá D.C, Colombia.,School of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá D.C, Colombia.,School of Medicine, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
| | | | - Elkin Benítez
- School of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
| | - Saralia Ruiz
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
| | - Lina Rodríguez
- School of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
| | - Daniela Ayala
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
| | | | - Valentina Galvis
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
| | - Marco Vanegas
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
| | - Mónica Gómez
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
| | - Ricardo Nassar
- Department of Surgery, Fundación Santa Fé de Bogotá, Bogotá D.C, Colombia.,School of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá D.C, Colombia.,School of Medicine, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
| | | | - Danny Conde
- School of Medicine, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá D.C, Colombia.,Hospital Universitario Mayor, Méderi, Universidad El Rosario, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
| | - María Gómez Zuleta
- Department of Surgery and Specialties, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Cra 6A #51A-48, 110100, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
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Cheng O, Hu JY, Hong J, Sarad N, Zenilman ME, Chen CC, Fahoum B, Lee RS. Operative Management of Acute Appendicitis is Safe During the COVID-19 Pandemic Shutdown. J Surg Res 2023; 287:117-123. [PMID: 36924622 PMCID: PMC9892322 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the spring of 2020, New York City was one of the first epicenters of the COVID outbreak. In this study, we evaluate the incidence and treatment of appendicitis in two New York City community hospitals during the COVID pandemic. METHODS This retrospective study focused on the incidence and outcome of acute appendicitis in the adult population (>18 y old) during peak-COVID periods (March 16, 2020,-June 15, 2020) compared to pre-COVID and post-COVID periods. We compared the number of patients who underwent operative versus nonoperative management, patient demographics, length of stay (LOS), complications, and readmission rates within these time periods. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (analysis of variance). RESULTS From January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, 393 patients presented with acute appendicitis and 321 (81.7%) were treated operatively, compared to 441 total and 366 treated operatively (83%) in 2019 (P = 0.88). During the COVID outbreak, fewer patients presented with appendicitis (mean 6.9 ± 1 pre-COVID case/week, 4.4 ± 2.4 peak-COVID cases/week and 7.6 ± 0.65 post-COVID cases/week, P = 0.018) with no significant difference in the pre-COVID and post-COVID period. There was no difference in LOS between the pre-, peak-, and post-COVID periods with a median of 1 for all the three, (interquartile range (IQR): 0.8-2, 0.6-2, 0.6-2, respectively, P = 0.43). Additionally, there was no difference in 30-day readmission rates (4.2%, 0%, 3.9%, P = 0.99) and postoperative complications (4.2%, 0%, 2.9%, P = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS During peak-COVID, there was a significant reduction in the number of patients who presented with acute appendicitis without a post rebound increase in presentation. Those who presented during peak-COVID were able to undergo operative management safely, without affecting LOS or postoperative complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Cheng
- New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York.
| | - James Y Hu
- New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Julie Hong
- New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, Flushing, New York
| | - Nakia Sarad
- New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, Flushing, New York
| | | | | | - Bashar Fahoum
- New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Roseanna S Lee
- New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York
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Öztaş T, Bilici S, Dursun A. Has the frequency of complicated appendicitis changed in children in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic? ANNALS OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY 2023; 19:3. [PMID: 36644328 PMCID: PMC9831875 DOI: 10.1186/s43159-022-00235-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic period suggests that the rate of complications may have increased in patients requiring surgical treatment due to the fact that they could not come to the hospital at the onset of the symptom. This study aims to evaluate the difference in the frequency of complicated appendicitis and postoperative complications in the COVID-19 pandemic.Patients included those who underwent appendectomy in 1 year before the COVID-19 pandemic and in the first year of the pandemic. The patients were categorized into two groups: pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Clinical and histopathology results were compared between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Results A total of 407 patients were included in the study, 207 of whom were included during the pre-pandemic and 200 of whom during the pandemic period. The mean time to hospital admission after the onset of symptoms was 1.3 ± 0.9 days, pre-pandemic, and 1.4 ± 0.8 days during the pandemic group. In the pre-pandemic group, 0.4% intrabdominal abscess developed and 37.5% complicated appendicitis was detected. In the pandemic group, it was found that there were 1% abscess, 0.5% wound infection, 0.5% brid ileus, and 31.9% complicated appendicitis. The pre-pandemic group length of hospitalization was 2.4 ± 0.8 days, and the pandemic was 2.1 ± 0.9 days There was no difference between pre-pandemic and pandemic groups in terms of age, gender, white blood cell count, duration of symptoms, postoperative complications and frequency of complicated appendicitis, and duration of hospitalization. Conclusions In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we found that the rate of complicated appendicitis and postoperative complications were not different from pre-pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tülin Öztaş
- grid.461868.50000 0004 0454 9842Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Health Sciences Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Salim Bilici
- grid.461868.50000 0004 0454 9842Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Health Sciences Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Dursun
- grid.461868.50000 0004 0454 9842Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Health Sciences Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Almuhaymidi R, Al-Hojailan AA, Alharbi AZ, Alolayan SS, Alqarzaee RS, Algosair I. Impacts of COVID-19 on Patients With Common Surgical Emergencies at the King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2022; 14:e31868. [PMID: 36579249 PMCID: PMC9792327 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.31868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic is a global disaster with millions of infections and deaths. Healthcare systems and services were significantly affected, necessitating adjustments. These included postponement of scheduled appointments and elective surgeries. During the pandemic, there was an increase in the number of acute appendicitis, gallstones, and hernia with a significant impact on the signs and symptoms of presenting problems due to prehospital delay. AIM This study aims to measure the impacts of COVID-19 on patients with common surgical emergencies in King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS This is a single-center retrospective study conducted at King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. We reviewed all medical records of patients diagnosed with common surgical emergencies (acute appendicitis, gallstones, and hernia) during a selected time of COVID-19 lockdown and compared it with a similar set period before the crisis as a control sample. All medical records were reviewed to find out the overall number of admissions, frequency of emergency department (ED) visits, duration of illness, picture of clinical presentation, intraoperative findings, course and duration of admission, and final pathology if any. RESULTS A total of 322 patients were included in the study. Of these, 119 (37%) patients underwent surgery before COVID-19 while 203 (63%) patients underwent surgery during the pandemic. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis was 63.9% and 47.7%, hernia 27.7% and 34.6%, and gallstone was 8.4% and 17.7% for control and pandemic periods, respectively. The duration varied from 10 hours to two days and four hours to one month, seven hours to one day to eight hours to six months, and two hours to one day to seven hours to one and half a month for acute appendicitis, hernia, and gallstone in control and pandemic period, respectively. The mean length of stay for acute appendicitis was reduced from two days during the control period to one day during the pandemic period, from four to three days for gallstone, and for hernia, it remained three days for both the control and pandemic periods, respectively. Regarding the course of admission for acute appendicitis, the uneventful cases were reduced while an increase in uneventful cases for both hernia and gallstone was observed. CONCLUSION During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a noticeable reduction in hospital visits. We observed an increase in the number of one-time visits and a reduction of three, four, and seven-time visits, which was attributed to the fact that patients have been reported to visit the hospital after a long time from the onset of symptoms with a higher chance of complication and subsequent surgeries. The number of acute appendicitis cases was reduced while the cases of hernia and gallstones increased significantly. The minimum period for the duration of acute illness for appendicitis was reduced in the pandemic period, while the minimum period for both gallstone and hernia was increased as both conditions could require conservative management. The mean length of hospital stay was reduced during the pandemic period, mainly due to the early discharge implemented in COVID-19 protocols to decrease the risk of infection. The severity of symptoms was increased due to the cancellation and delaying of surgeries.
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Cai X, Bi J, Zheng Z, Liu Y. Decision-making changes for patients and medical personnel in the management of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:170. [PMID: 36280806 PMCID: PMC9590391 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00727-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen. During the pandemic, to contain the spread of COVID-19, there were some integral changes in the medical processes based on the pandemic prevention policy, especially regarding emergency surgery. This study was conducted to investigate whether this pandemic also impacted the decision-making for both patients and medical personnel along with the treatment outcomes. METHODS Patients of age 18 years or older who were diagnosed clinically and radiologically with acute appendicitis between Jan 1, 2017, and Dec 31, 202,0 were reviewed. The data of 1991 cases were collected and used for this study. Two groups were formed, one group before and the other group after the outbreak. The gathered data included gender, age, appendiceal fecalith, outcomes of treatment, and long-term outcomes of non-operation (8 months follow-up). We also collected details of surgical cases from the above two groups. This data also included age, gender, appendiceal fecalith, fever, jaundice, length of onset before presenting to an emergency department (ED), anesthesia, surgery, white cell count, pathology, complications, and length of stay. We compared the above data respectively and analyzed the differences. RESULTS Compared to the period before the outbreak, patient visits for acute appendicitis remarkably dropped (19.8%), but surgical cases showed no change (dropped by roughly 5%). There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in failure of non-operation(after the pandemic 8.31% vs. before pandemic 3.22%), interval appendectomy(after pandemic 6.29% vs. before pandemic 12.84%), recurrence(after pandemic 23.27% vs. before pandemic 14.46%), and outcomes of recurrence. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in anesthesia method, surgery way, and complications( before pandemic 4.15% vs. after pandemic9.89% P < 0.05) in patients who underwent the surgery. There was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) concerning age, gender, fever, jaundice, appendiceal fecalith, white cell count, and length of onset before presenting to the ED. CONCLUSION The current pandemic prevention policy is very effective, but some decision-making processes of doctor-patient have changed in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, that further influenced some treatment outcomes and might lead to a potential economic burden. It is essential to address the undue concern of everyone and optimize the treatment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Cai
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, 100035 Beijing, China
| | - Jingtao Bi
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, 100035 Beijing, China
| | - Zhixue Zheng
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, 100035 Beijing, China
| | - Yaqi Liu
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, 100035 Beijing, China
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Akbulut S, Tuncer A, Ogut Z, Sahin TT, Koc C, Guldogan E, Karabulut E, Tanriverdi ES, Ozer A. Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with presumed diagnosis of acute appendicitis. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:10487-10500. [PMID: 36312473 PMCID: PMC9602222 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i29.10487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis (AAp) is the most frequent cause of acute abdominal pain, and appendectomy is the most frequent emergency procedure that is performed worldwide. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused delays in managing diseases requiring emergency approaches such as AAp and trauma.
AIM To compare the demographic, clinical, and histopathological outcomes of patients with AAp who underwent appendectomy during pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods.
METHODS The demographic, clinical, biochemical, and histopathological parameters were evaluated and compared in patients who underwent appendectomy with the presumed diagnosis of AAp in the pre-COVID-19 (October 2018-March 2020) and COVID-19 (March 2020-July 2021) periods.
RESULTS Admissions to our tertiary care hospital for AAp increased 44.8% in the COVID-19 period. Pre-COVID-19 (n = 154) and COVID-19 (n = 223) periods were compared for various parameters, and we found that there were statistically significant differences in terms of variables such as procedures performed on the weekdays or weekends [odds ratio (OR): 1.76; P = 0.018], presence of AAp findings on ultrasonography (OR: 15.4; P < 0.001), confirmation of AAp in the histopathologic analysis (OR: 2.6; P = 0.003), determination of perforation in the appendectomy specimen (OR: 2.2; P = 0.004), the diameter of the appendix (P < 0.001), and hospital stay (P = 0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of interval between the initiation of symptoms and admission to the hospital between the pre-COVID-19 (median: 24 h; interquartile range: 34) and COVID-19 (median: 36 h; interquartile range: 60) periods (P = 0.348). The interval between the initiation of symptoms until the hospital admission was significantly longer in patients with perforated AAp regardless of the COVID-19 or pre-COVID-19 status (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION The present study showed that in the COVID-19 period, the ultrasonographic determination rate of AAp, perforation rate of AAp, and duration of hospital stay increased. On the other hand, negative appendectomy rate decreased. There was no statistically significant delay in hospital admissions that would delay the diagnosis of AAp in the COVID-19 period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Akbulut
- Surgery and Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
- Department of Public Health, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
| | - Adem Tuncer
- Department of Surgery, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
| | - Zeki Ogut
- Department of Surgery, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
| | - Tevfik Tolga Sahin
- Surgery and Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
| | - Cemalettin Koc
- Surgery and Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
| | - Emek Guldogan
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
| | - Ertugrul Karabulut
- Surgery and Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
| | - Elif Seren Tanriverdi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Inonu University Medical Faculty, Malatya 44280, Turkey
| | - Ali Ozer
- Department of Public Health, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
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10
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Poget M, Chautems R, Kohler R, Diana M, Saadi A. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the severity and management of acute appendicitis. Front Surg 2022; 9:981885. [PMID: 36117810 PMCID: PMC9474729 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.981885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The literature seems to indicate that the number of appendectomies dropped at the beginning of the coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19 pandemic), while the number of complicated appendicitis increased due to late presentation. In addition, a longer delay before surgical treatment resulted in a higher morbidity. This study aims to compare the number of appendectomies, the severity, and the management of acute appendicitis during the first two pandemic peaks of COVID-19 with those observed during the same seasonal periods in the previous 2 years in a regional hospital in Switzerland. Methods We retrospectively reviewed and compared the number of appendectomies, rate of complicated appendicitis, delay to consultation and to surgery, distribution of appendectomies over a 24-h schedule, postoperative outcomes, and rates of overall complications in 177 patients, that is, 66 during the COVID-19 pandemic and 111 before the pandemic. Results No statistical difference was found in the number of appendectomies, duration of symptoms before consultation, median time to surgery, number of appendectomies performed outside the usual scheduled time for non-urgent surgery, length of postoperative stay, or the rates of overall complications. However, there was a trend in the rate of complicated appendicitis (p = .05). Conclusion In spite of a high incidence rate of COVID-19 in our canton, the impact of COVID-19 on our population did not follow the pattern observed elsewhere. The reasons for this might be that people would still present to the emergency department due to less strict social distancing measures. Great availability of emergency operating room may also account for the unchanged delay preceding surgical treatment and complication rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Poget
- Surgery Department, Neuchâtel Hospital, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Roland Chautems
- Surgery Department, Neuchâtel Hospital, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rémy Kohler
- Surgery Department, Neuchâtel Hospital, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Surgery Department, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michele Diana
- IRCAD, Research Institute Against Cancer of the Digestive System, Strasbourg, France
- Surgery Department, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alend Saadi
- Surgery Department, Neuchâtel Hospital, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Obesity and Metabolic Diseases Center, Neuchâtel Hospital, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Correspondence: Alend Saadi
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11
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Tracy BM, Valdez CL, Crowley B, Seng S, Ratnasekera A, Collins CM, Bhattacharya B, O'Connor R, Sharp V, Gelbard RB. Academic Medical Centers Experienced Higher Rates of Post-Operative Health-Care-Associated Infections during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Post Hoc Analysis of an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Multicenter Trial. Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2022; 23:538-544. [PMID: 35917388 DOI: 10.1089/sur.2022.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: We sought to examine health-care-associated infections (HAIs) among patients undergoing an appendectomy at academic medical centers (AMCs) and non-AMCs during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) peri-pandemic. We hypothesized that AMCs would have higher rates of post-operative HAIs during the first wave of the pandemic. Patients and Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of a prospective, observational, multi-center study of patients aged >18 years who underwent an appendectomy for acute appendicitis before (pre-CoV), during (CoV), and after pandemic restrictions were lifted (post-CoV). Patients were grouped according to hospital type (AMC vs. non-AMC). Our primary outcome was the incidence of post-operative HAIs. Results: There were 1,003 patients; 69.5% (n = 697) were treated at AMCs and 30.5% (n = 306) at non-AMCs. Patients at AMCs had greater rates of concomitant COVID-19 infections (5.5% vs. 0.7%; p < 0.0001) and worse operative appendicitis severity (p = 0.01). Greater rates of HAIs were seen at AMCs compared with non-AMCs (4.9% vs. 2%; p = 0.03). Surgical site infections were the most common HAI and occurred more often at AMCs (4.3% vs. 1.6%; p = 0.04). Only during CoV were there more HAIs at AMCs (5.1% vs. 0.3%; p = 0.02). Undergoing surgery at an AMC during CoV was a risk factor for HAIs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-71.03; p = 0.04). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, appendectomies performed at AMCs were an independent risk factor for post-operative HAIs. Our findings stress the importance of adherence to standard infection prevention efforts during future healthcare crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Tracy
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Carrie L Valdez
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Brandon Crowley
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Sirivan Seng
- Department of Surgery, Crozer Chester Medical Center, Chester, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Asanthi Ratnasekera
- Department of Surgery, Crozer Chester Medical Center, Chester, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Courtney M Collins
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Rick O'Connor
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Victoria Sharp
- Department of Surgery, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital, Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA
| | - Rondi B Gelbard
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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12
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Petrauskas V, Poskus E, Luksaite – Lukste R, Kryzauskas M, Petrulionis M, Strupas K, Poskus T. Suspected and Confirmed Acute Appendicitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic: First and Second Quarantines—a Prospective Study. Front Surg 2022; 9:896206. [PMID: 35800113 PMCID: PMC9253423 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.896206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PurposeCOVID-19 posed an unprecedented modern global healthcare crisis affecting both elective and urgent surgeries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the difference in the presentation of acute appendicitis (AA) before and during the COVID-19 era, the first and second quarantines.MethodsWe performed a prospective study from December 2018 to May 2021. Two cohorts were analysed, one with patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with suspected AA and the second with confirmed AA. Both cohorts were divided into four groups: before COVID-19, during the first quarantine, between the first and second quarantine, and during the second quarantine. Data such as demographics, the time to first contact with the healthcare provider and time to operation, laboratory tests, clinical stage of AA, length of stay, and COVID-19 status were collected. A total of 469 patients were enrolled.ResultsA total of 209 patients were male (45%) and 260 were female (55%), with the median age being 33 years (24–45). In the first cohort of suspected AA, there was no difference in sex; however, more older patients presented to the ED during the first quarantine (41 years) compared with other groups (28.5, 36, and 32.5 years), p < 0.000. Before the pandemic, there was a shorter duration of symptoms to first contact with the healthcare provider (13 h) compared with other groups, p = 0.001. In the second cohort of confirmed AA, there was a shorter period of time to operation from first symptoms before the pandemic (22 h) compared with other groups (30, 35, 30.5 h), p < 0.000. There were more complicated gangrenous, perforated appendicitis or periappendicular abscess in Group 2 and 3 (26, 22 and 10%, and 26, 22 and 2%, respectively) compared with Group 1 (20, 4 and 3%) and Group 4 (22, 12, and 2%), p = 0.009. Hospital stay was longer during the first quarantine (3 days) compared with other groups (2 days), p = 0.009. Six patients were COVID-19 positive: one from Group 3 and five from Group 4 (p > 0.05).ConclusionsOur study suggests that during the first quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was delayed presentation to the ED with suspected AA and there was a greater proportion of complicated appendicitis and longer hospitalization in confirmed cases as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidas Petrauskas
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Correspondence: Vidas Petrauskas
| | - Eligijus Poskus
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Raminta Luksaite – Lukste
- Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Physics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Marius Kryzauskas
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Marius Petrulionis
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Kestutis Strupas
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Tomas Poskus
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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13
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Mogharab V, Ostovar M, Ruszkowski J, Hussain SZM, Shrestha R, Yaqoob U, Aryanpoor P, Nikkhoo AM, Heidari P, Jahromi AR, Rayatdoost E, Ali A, Javdani F, Farzaneh R, Ghanaatpisheh A, Habibzadeh SR, Foroughian M, Ahmadi SR, Akhavan R, Abbasi B, Shahi B, Hakemi A, Bolvardi E, Bagherian F, Motamed M, Boroujeni ST, Jamalnia S, Mangouri A, Paydar M, Mehrasa N, Shirali D, Sanmarchi F, Saeed A, Jafari NA, Babou A, Kalani N, Hatami N. Global burden of the COVID-19 associated patient-related delay in emergency healthcare: a panel of systematic review and meta-analyses. Global Health 2022; 18:58. [PMID: 35676714 PMCID: PMC9175527 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-022-00836-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Apart from infecting a large number of people around the world and causing the death of many people, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have changed the healthcare processes of other diseases by changing the allocation of health resources and changing people’s access or intention to healthcare systems. Objective To compare the incidence of endpoints marking delayed healthcare seeking in medical emergencies, before and during the pandemic. Methods Based on a PICO model, medical emergency conditions that need timely intervention was selected to be evaluated as separate panels. In a systematic literature review, PubMed was quarried for each panel for studies comparing the incidence of various medical emergencies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Markers of failure/disruption of treatment due to delayed referral were included in the meta-analysis for each panel. Result There was a statistically significant increased pooled median time of symptom onset to admission of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients; an increased rate of vasospasm of aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage; and perforation rate in acute appendicitis; diabetic ketoacidosis presentation rate among Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus patients; and rate of orchiectomy among testicular torsion patients in comparison of pre-COVID-19 with COVID-19 cohorts; while there were no significant changes in the event rate of ruptured ectopic pregnancy and median time of symptom onset to admission in the cerebrovascular accident (CVA) patients. Conclusions COVID-19 has largely disrupted the referral of patients for emergency medical care and patient-related delayed care should be addressed as a major health threat. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12992-022-00836-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Mogharab
- Department of Pediatrics, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Mahshid Ostovar
- Research Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Jakub Ruszkowski
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.,Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Rajeev Shrestha
- Palliative Care and Chronic Disease Unit, Green Pasteur Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal
| | - Uzair Yaqoob
- Postgraduate trainee, Surgical Department, Hamdard University Hospital Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Poorya Aryanpoor
- Research Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Amir Mohammad Nikkhoo
- Research Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Parasta Heidari
- Research Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Athar Rasekh Jahromi
- Research Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Rayatdoost
- Research Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Anwar Ali
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Farshid Javdani
- Research Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Roohie Farzaneh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Aref Ghanaatpisheh
- Research Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Habibzadeh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahdi Foroughian
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sayyed Reza Ahmadi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Reza Akhavan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bita Abbasi
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Behzad Shahi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Arman Hakemi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ehsan Bolvardi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farhad Bagherian
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mahsa Motamed
- Department of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sheida Jamalnia
- Medical Journalism Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Mangouri
- Fellowship of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Department of General Surgery, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Paydar
- Research Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Neda Mehrasa
- Shiraz Azad University, Dental Branch, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Francesco Sanmarchi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ayesha Saeed
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Narges Azari Jafari
- Neuroscience Research Department Center, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran
| | - Ali Babou
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Navid Kalani
- Research Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.
| | - Naser Hatami
- Research Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.
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14
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Grossi U, Gallo G, Ortenzi M, Piccino M, Salimian N, Guerrieri M, Sammarco G, Felice C, Santoro GA, Di Saverio S, Di Tanna GL, Zanus G. Changes in hospital admissions and complications of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. HEALTH SCIENCES REVIEW (OXFORD, ENGLAND) 2022; 3:100021. [PMID: 35287332 PMCID: PMC8906891 DOI: 10.1016/j.hsr.2022.100021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common emergencies in general surgery worldwide. During the pandemic, a significant decrease in the number of accesses to the emergency department for AA has been recorded in different countries. A systematic review of the current literature sought to determine the impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on hospital admissions and complications of AA. Method A systematic search was undertaken to identify repeated cross-sectional studies reporting the management of AA during the COVID-19 pandemic (index period) as compared to the previous year, or at the turn of lockdown (reference period). Data were abstracted on article (country of origin) and patients characteristics (adults, children [i.e. non adults, <18-year-old]), or mixed population) within the two given timeframes, including demographics, number of admissions for AA, number of appendectomies, and complicated appendectomies. Results Of 201 full-text articles assessed for eligibility, 54 studies from 22 world countries were included. In total, 27 (50%) were conducted on adults, 12 (22%) on children, and 15 (28%) on a mixed patients population. The overall rate ratio of admissions for AA between the two periods was 0.94 (95%CI, 0.75-1.17), with significant differences between studies on adults (0.90 [0.74-1.09]), mixed population (0.50 [0.27-0.90]), and children (1.50 [1.01-2.22]). The overall risk ratio of complicated AA was 1.65 (1.32-2.07), ranging from 1.32 in studies on children, to 2.45 in mixed population. Conclusion The pandemic has altered the rate of admissions for AA and appendectomy, with parallel increased incidence of complicated cases in all age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Grossi
- II Surgery Unit, Treviso Regional Hospital, DISCOG, University of Padua, Italy,Corresponding author at: National Bowel Research Centre, Queen Mary University of London, 2 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom
| | - Gaetano Gallo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Monica Ortenzi
- Department of General and Emergency Surgery, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Piccino
- II Surgery Unit, Treviso Regional Hospital, DISCOG, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Nick Salimian
- II Surgery Unit, Treviso Regional Hospital, DISCOG, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Mario Guerrieri
- Department of General and Emergency Surgery, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sammarco
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carla Felice
- I Medicine Unit, Treviso Regional Hospital, DIMED, University of Padua, Italy
| | | | - Salomone Di Saverio
- Department of General Surgery, University of Insubria, ASST Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Di Tanna
- The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
| | - Giacomo Zanus
- II Surgery Unit, Treviso Regional Hospital, DISCOG, University of Padua, Italy
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15
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Tankel J, Keinan A, Gillis R, Yoresh M, Gillis M, Tarnovsky Y, Riessman P. Exploring the trends of acute appendicitis following recovery or vaccination from COVID-19. J Surg Res 2022; 279:633-638. [PMID: 35926313 PMCID: PMC9234038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The relationship that vaccination against corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19) or recovery from the acute form of the illness may have with the incidence or severity of acute appendicitis (AA) has not been explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate this relationship. Methods A single centre retrospective study of all consecutive adult patients presenting with AA in the 6 mo after the initiation of a national vaccination program was performed. The presenting characteristics and pathological data of patients who had either been vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19 were compared with those who had not. In addition, historical data from the equivalent period 12 and 24 mo beforehand was also extracted. The incidence of AA was compared between each of these time-frames. Results Of the 258 patients initially identified, 255 were included in the analysis of which 156 had either been vaccinated and/or recovered from COVID-19 (61.2%) whilst 99 (38.8%) patients had not. When comparing these two groups, there were no significant differences in the presenting characteristics, operative findings or postoperative courses. There was also no significant change in the incidence of AA when comparing the study dates with historical data (median weekly incidence of AA 8.0 versus 8.0 versus 8.0 respectively, P = 0.672). Conclusions Based on the data presented here, we failed to find a relationship between a national vaccination program and both the nature and incidence of AA presenting to a busy urban hospital.
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16
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Tamirian R, Klein M, Chui P, Park J, Frangos S, Shah P, Malino CM. Acute Appendicitis During The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter, Retrospective Analysis From The US Epicenter. Am Surg 2022:31348221103649. [PMID: 35599614 PMCID: PMC9124948 DOI: 10.1177/00031348221103649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical emergency, with a relatively stable yearly incidence. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, as New York City (NYC) emerged as the US epicenter, hospitals saw a marked reduction in patients presenting with non-COVID-related diseases. The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of the pandemic on the incidence, presentation, and management of AA. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients with AA who presented to two academic medical centers during the NYC COVID peak (March 22nd-May 31st, 2020) was performed. This group was compared to a control cohort presenting during the same period in 2019. Primary outcomes included the incidence of AA, complicated disease, and management. Secondary outcomes included duration of symptoms, hospital length of stay, and complication rates. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square, and Fisher’s exact tests. Results A 49.1% reduction in the incidence of AA was seen between 2019 (n = 114) and 2020 (n = 58). Median duration of symptoms doubled from 1 day in 2019 to 2 days in 2020 (P < .02). Proportionally, the incidence of complicated appendicitis rose from 19.3% to 41.4% (P < .005). 32.4% of patients with uncomplicated AA underwent non-operative management in 2020, compared to 12% in 2019 (P < .02). Hospital length of stay and complication rates were similar between years. Discussion Significantly fewer AA patients presented during the initial phase of the pandemic. Patients presented later, which may have contributed to a higher proportion of complicated disease. Surgeons were also more likely to treat uncomplicated AA nonoperatively than they were prior. Further research is needed to understand the long-term consequences of these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Tamirian
- Department of Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Richard Tamirian, Department of Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 334 E. 26th Street New York, NY 10010, USA.
| | - Michael Klein
- Department of Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Surgery, New York City Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patricia Chui
- Department of Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Surgery, New York City Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julia Park
- Department of Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Surgery, New York City Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, New York, NY, USA
| | - Spiros Frangos
- Department of Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Surgery, New York City Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paresh Shah
- Department of Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cris M.K. Malino
- Department of Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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17
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Roberts K. Impact of COVID-19 on appendicitis presentations in children in Australia and New Zealand. ANZ J Surg 2022; 92:736-741. [PMID: 35285164 PMCID: PMC9111244 DOI: 10.1111/ans.17566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In contrast to many countries, the prevalence of COVID-19 in Australia and New Zealand has been low. We hypothesised, however, that a potential secondary effect of the COVID-19 pandemic would be delayed presentation of paediatric appendicitis, with resultant higher rates of complicated appendicitis. This study was an initiative of the Australian and New Zealand Surgery in Children Registrars' Association for Trials collaborative, a trainee-led research group based in Australia and New Zealand. METHODS A binational multicentre, retrospective review was undertaken of paediatric patients with appendicitis early in the COVID-19 pandemic (20 March-30 April 2020), compared with previous years (2018, 2019). Primary outcomes were the duration of symptoms prior to presentation and the severity of disease. RESULTS A total of 400 patients from six centres were included. Duration of symptoms prior to presentation, sepsis at presentation, complicated disease and presence of complications did not differ significantly between time periods. Duration of intravenous antibiotic treatment and overall antibiotic treatment were both significantly shorter during 2020 (2.4 days versus 3.5 in 2018 and 3.0 in 2019 [P = 0.0038] and 3.7 days versus 5.2 in 2018 and 4.6 in 2019 [P = 0.04], respectively). Management approach did not differ, with the majority of patients managed operatively. CONCLUSIONS We did not demonstrate any difference in duration of symptoms prior to presentation or other markers of disease severity early in the pandemic. Duration of antibiotic treatment was shorter during this period compared with previous years. Management of children with appendicitis, both simple and complicated, did not appear to change as a result of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiera Roberts
- Department of Paediatric SurgeryTownsville University HospitalDouglasQueenslandAustralia
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Triage admission protocol with a centralized quarantine unit for patients after acute care surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: A tertiary center experience in Taiwan. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263688. [PMID: 35263347 PMCID: PMC8906606 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During the COVID-19 surge in Taiwan, the Far East Memorial Hospital established a system including a centralized quarantine unit and triage admission protocol to facilitate acute care surgical inpatient services, prevent nosocomial COVID-19 infection and maintain the efficiency and quality of health care service during the pandemics. Materials and methods This retrospective cohort study included patients undergoing acute care surgery. The triage admission protocol was based on rapid antigen tests, Liat® PCR and RT-PCT tests. Type of surgical procedure, patient characteristics, and efficacy indices of the centralized quarantine unit and emergency department (ED) were collected and analyzed before (Phase I: May 11 to July 2, 2021) and after (Phase II: July 3 to July 31, 2021) the system started. Results A total of 287 patients (105 in Phase I and 182 in Phase II) were enrolled. Nosocomial COVID-19 infection occur in 27 patients in phase I but zero in phase II. More patients received traumatological, orthopedic, and neurologic surgeries in phase II than in phase I. The patients’ surgical risk classification, median total hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and the number of patients requiring postoperative ICU care were similar in both groups. The duration of ED stay and waiting time for acute care surgery were longer in Phase II (397 vs. 532 minutes, p < 0.0001). The duration of ED stay was positively correlated with the number of surgical patients visiting the ED (median = 66 patients, Spearman’s ρ = 0.207) and the occupancy ratio in the centralized quarantine unit on that day (median = 90.63%, Spearman’s ρ = 0.191). Conclusions The triage admission protocol provided resilient quarantine needs and sustainable acute care surgical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The efficiency was related to the number of medical staff dedicated to the centralized quarantine unit and number of surgical patients visited in ED.
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Characteristics of Acute Appendicitis before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Single Center Experience. Emerg Med Int 2022; 2022:4541748. [PMID: 35251714 PMCID: PMC8894033 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4541748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic caused an increased incidence of complicated appendicitis due to the late presentation when compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. Summary Background Data. Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies. During the coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a reported delay in the presentation of some urgencies to the emergency hospital departments. Methods. A total of 427 patients who underwent surgical treatment due to suspected acute appendicitis from June 2019 to November 2020 were retrospectively included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: the first (pre-COVID-19) group consisted of patients who had surgery before the onset of COVID-19 pandemic (n = 240), while the second (COVID-19) group consisted of those who were operated during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 187). The primary outcome of the study was to compare the incidence of perforated appendicitis before and during the onset of COVID-19. Results. Overall, 84 patients (19.67%) were diagnosed with perforated appendicitis. We found a weak significance (p=0.085) in the rate of perforated appendicitis between the pre-COVID-19 (17.08%) and the COVID-19 era (22.99%). Conclusions. We did not observe any significant difference in the complications of acute appendicitis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a university hospital in Rijeka. An emergent medical care should always be accessible.
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Chang YJ, Chen LJ, Chang YJ. Did the severity of appendicitis increase during the COVID-19 pandemic? PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263814. [PMID: 35143582 PMCID: PMC8830628 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess the severity of appendicitis during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as patients with appendicitis may procrastinate seeking medical attention during the pandemic. METHODS Information on patients with appendicitis who were treated at the Taipei City Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic (January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020) was retrieved. Patients who were diagnosed with appendicitis and treated at the same hospital from January 1, 2019 to July 1, 2019 were designated as the control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess changes in the severity of appendicitis (at a 2-week interval) between the two groups. RESULTS We identified 307 (study group: 149; control group: 158) consecutive patients with appendicitis. The mean age was 46.2 +- 19.8 years. Between the two groups, there were no significant differences in age, sex, comorbidity, surgery type (laparoscopic or open appendectomy) or surgery time. The number of patients in the study group decreased between January 29, 2020 and April 21, 2020, which paralleled the period of spikes in the confirmed COVID-19 cases and restricted daily activities. The percentage of uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis (excluding mild appendicitis or normal appendix) in the study group increased between February 26 and March 10, as well as between April 8 and April 21. In the multivariate regression analysis, the odds of uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis increased in three bi-weeks for the study group but not in the control group. CONCLUSION The severity of acute appendicitis might increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, because patients with mild appendicitis (or abdominal pain) may hesitate to seek help.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Jen Chang
- Department of Surgery, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ju Chen
- University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, HepingFuyou Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Jau Chang
- Department of General Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of General Surgery, Zhong-Xing Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Wolf S, Schrempf M, Vlasenko D, Schoeler C, Erckmann F, von Parpart P, Paschwitz R, Anthuber M, Sommer F. Acute Appendicitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Changes in Incidence and Clinical Presentation but not in Patients' Outcome. Int J Qual Health Care 2022; 34:6524257. [PMID: 35137114 PMCID: PMC8903373 DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzac005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing severe issue. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence, severity and treatment of acute appendicitis (AA) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted between January 2019 and April 2020 in one high-volume center. A comparison was performed between two groups (group A: patients admitted with AA before the COVID-19 pandemic; group B: patients admitted with AA at the beginning of the pandemic) in terms of the incidence of AA and clinical and pathological outcomes. The incidence of AA was also analyzed in six surrounding peripheral hospitals. RESULTS A total of 94 patients were identified, 54 in group A and 40 in group B (57% vs. 43%). Demographic data was comparable between groups. AA in group B showed a significant higher rate of histological advanced cases (10 (18.5%) group A vs. 20 (50%) group B, p=0.001) and the need for postoperative antibiotic treatment (6 (11.1%) group A vs. 11 (27.5%) group B, p=0.045). During the pandemic, a higher percentage of patients was treated at peripheral hospitals (group A: 54/111 vs. 40/126). CONCLUSION During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic there was a significant decrease of patients with AA in a high-volume center, which showed more advanced disease of AA. This significant decrease in the high-volume center correlates with an increase in patients with AA in peripheral hospitals and represents a change in patient flow during the onset of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Wolf
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Schrempf
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Dmytro Vlasenko
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Claus Schoeler
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Wertach Clinic, Schwabmuenchen, Germany
| | - Frank Erckmann
- Department of General, Visceral and Minimal-invasive Surgery, Donau-Ries-Clinics, Donauwoerth, Germany
| | - Patrick von Parpart
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Friedberg and Aichach Hospital, Friedberg, Germany
| | - Rieke Paschwitz
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, St. Elisabeth Hospital Dillingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Anthuber
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Florian Sommer
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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22
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Bickel A, Ganam S, Abu Shakra I, Farkash I, Francis R, Karra N, Merei F, Cohen I, Kakiashvili E. Delayed diagnosis and subsequently increased severity of acute appendicitis (compatible with clinical-pathologic grounds) during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational case-control study. BMC Gastroenterol 2022; 22:19. [PMID: 35016616 PMCID: PMC8751470 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-021-02024-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During a global crisis like the current COVID-19 pandemic, delayed admission to hospital in cases of emergent medical illness may lead to serious adverse consequences. We aimed to determine whether such delayed admission affected the severity of an inflammatory process regarding acute appendicitis, and its convalescence. Methods In a retrospective observational cohort case-control study, we analyzed the medical data of 60 patients who were emergently and consecutively admitted to our hospital due to acute appendicitis as established by clinical presentation and imaging modalities, during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic (our study group). We matched a statistically control group consisting of 97 patients who were admitted during a previous 12-month period for the same etiology. All underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. The main study parameters included intraoperative findings (validated by histopathology), duration of abdominal pain prior to admission, hospital stay and postoperative convalescence (reflecting the consequences of delay in diagnosis and surgery). Results The mean duration of abdominal pain until surgery was significantly longer in the study group. The rate of advanced appendicitis (suppurative and gangrenous appendicitis as well as peri-appendicular abscess) was greater in the study than in the control group (38.3 vs. 21.6%, 23.3 vs. 16.5%, and 5 vs. 1% respectively), as well as mean hospital stay. Conclusions A global crisis like the current viral pandemic may significantly affect emergent admissions to hospital (as in case of acute appendicitis), leading to delayed surgical interventions and its consequences.
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Zheng Z, Bi JT, Liu YQ, Cai X. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of acute appendicitis in China. Int J Colorectal Dis 2022; 37:215-219. [PMID: 34647160 PMCID: PMC8514203 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-021-04031-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This research aims to analyze the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on the hospital visits of patients with acute appendicitis. METHODS The retrospective analysis was designed to look at the treatment of acute appendicitis in the Department of General Surgery in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2020). Data was analyzed by the numbers of patients, sex, age, onset time, fever or not, laboratory examination, imaging test, and treatment. And we analyzed the differences between the "pre-COVID group" and "during-COVID group". RESULTS Compared with the year 2019, the number of acute appendicitis patients has diminished substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), but the number elevated with the control of the pandemic. Even if we did not find the differences of the treatment before and during the pandemic (P = 0.932), the onset time to emergency was significantly longer (P < 0.001), and more patients had showed fever (P < 0.001) during the COVID-19 pandemic. And the total number of white blood cells and C reactive protein level were significantly higher in 2020 than those in 2019 (P = 0.006, 0.003). And the same result was found in patients with appendiceal fecalith (P = 0.047). CONCLUSION During the pandemic of the new coronavirus pneumonia, the number of patients with acute appendix treatment dropped significantly, mainly because it took longer than before, and the condition was more severe. It can be seen that the new coronary pneumonia has a great impact on the patients' medical treatment behavior, and the active prevention and treatment of the new coronavirus pneumonia is currently an important and urgent issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- ZhiXue Zheng
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035 China
| | - Jing Tao Bi
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035 China
| | - Ya Qi Liu
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035 China
| | - Xuan Cai
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035 China
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El Nakeeb A, Emile SH, AbdelMawla A, Attia M, Alzahrani M, ElGamdi A, Nouh AE, Alshahrani A, AlAreef R, Kayed T, Hamza HM, AlMalki A, Rayzah F, Alsharif M, Alsharif F, Mohammed MM. Presentation and outcomes of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned from the Middle East-a multicentre prospective cohort study. Int J Colorectal Dis 2022; 37:777-789. [PMID: 35152340 PMCID: PMC8853311 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-022-04108-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a striking impact on healthcare services in the world. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation management and outcomes of acute appendicitis (AA) in different centers in the Middle East. METHODS This multicenter cohort study compared the presentation and outcomes of patients with AA who presented during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to patients who presented before the onset of the pandemic. Demographic data, clinical presentation, management strategy, and outcomes were prospectively collected and compared. RESULTS Seven hundred seventy-one patients presented with AA during the COVID pandemic versus 1174 in the pre-COVID period. Delayed and complex presentation of AA was significantly more observed during the pandemic period. Seventy-six percent of patients underwent CT scanning to confirm the diagnosis of AA during the pandemic period, compared to 62.7% in the pre-COVID period. Non-operative management (NOM) was more frequently employed in the pandemic period. Postoperative complications were higher amid the pandemic as compared to before its onset. Reoperation and readmission rates were significantly higher in the COVID period, whereas the negative appendicectomy rate was significantly lower in the pandemic period (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION During the COVID-19 pandemic, a remarkable decrease in the number of patients with AA was seen along with a higher incidence of complex AA, greater use of CT scanning, and more application of NOM. The rates of postoperative complications, reoperation, and readmission were significantly higher during the COVID period.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mohamed Alzahrani
- Khamis Mushait General Hospital, Aseer region, Khamis Mushait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman ElGamdi
- Khamis Mushait General Hospital, Aseer region, Khamis Mushait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abd elwahab Nouh
- Khamis Mushait General Hospital, Aseer region, Khamis Mushait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Alshahrani
- Khamis Mushait General Hospital, Aseer region, Khamis Mushait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Riyadh AlAreef
- Khamis Mushait General Hospital, Aseer region, Khamis Mushait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Ahmad AlMalki
- Aseer Central Hospital, Aseer region, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Fares Rayzah
- Aseer Central Hospital, Aseer region, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Motaz Alsharif
- Aseer Central Hospital, Aseer region, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Fares Alsharif
- Aseer Central Hospital, Aseer region, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Sartori A, Podda M, Botteri E, Passera R, Agresta F, Arezzo A. Appendectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: a multicenter ambispective cohort study by the Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery and new technologies (the CRAC study). Updates Surg 2021; 73:2205-2213. [PMID: 34219197 PMCID: PMC8255092 DOI: 10.1007/s13304-021-01126-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Major surgical societies advised using non-operative management of appendicitis and suggested against laparoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hypothesis is that a significant reduction in the number of emergent appendectomies was observed during the pandemic, restricted to complex cases. The study aimed to analyse emergent surgical appendectomies during pandemic on a national basis and compare it to the same period of the previous year. This is a multicentre, retrospective, observational study investigating the outcomes of patients undergoing emergent appendectomy in March-April 2019 vs March-April 2020. The primary outcome was the number of appendectomies performed, classified according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) score. Secondary outcomes were the type of surgical technique employed (laparoscopic vs open) and the complication rates. One thousand five hundred forty one patients with acute appendicitis underwent surgery during the two study periods. 1337 (86.8%) patients met the inclusion criteria: 546 (40.8%) patients underwent surgery for acute appendicitis in 2020 and 791 (59.2%) in 2019. According to AAST, patients with complicated appendicitis operated in 2019 were 30.3% vs 39.9% in 2020 (p = 0.001). We observed an increase in the number of post-operative complications in 2020 (15.9%) compared to 2019 (9.6%) (p < 0.001). The following determinants increased the likelihood of complication occurrence: undergoing surgery during 2020 (+ 67%), the increase of a unit in the AAST score (+ 26%), surgery performed > 24 h after admission (+ 58%), open surgery (+ 112%) and conversion to open surgery (+ 166%). In Italian hospitals, in March and April 2020, the number of appendectomies has drastically dropped. During the first pandemic wave, patients undergoing surgery were more frequently affected by more severe appendicitis than the previous year's timeframe and experienced a higher number of complications. Trial registration number and date: Research Registry ID 5789, May 7th, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Sartori
- Department of General Surgery, Ospedale Di Montebelluna, Montebelluna, Italy
| | - Mauro Podda
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Cagliari, Policlinico Universitario Di Monserrato "Duilio Casula" University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Botteri
- General Surgery, ASST Spedali Civili Di Brescia, Montichiari, Italy
| | - Roberto Passera
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Arezzo
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, corso AM Dogliotti 14, 10126, Torino, Italy.
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Teng TZJ, Thong XR, Lau KY, Balasubramaniam S, Shelat VG. Acute appendicitis–advances and controversies. World J Gastrointest Surg 2021; 13:1293-1314. [PMID: 34950421 PMCID: PMC8649565 DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v13.i11.1293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Being one of the most common causes of the acute abdomen, acute appendicitis (AA) forms the bread and butter of any general surgeon’s practice. With the recent advancements in AA’s management, much controversy in diagnostic algorithms, possible differential diagnoses, and weighing the management options has been generated, with no absolute consensus in the literature. Since Alvarado described his eponymous clinical scoring system in 1986 to stratify AA risk, there has been a burgeoning of additional scores for guiding downstream management and mortality assessment. Furthermore, advancing literature on the role of antibiotics, variations in appendicectomy, and its adjuncts have expanded the surgeon’s repertoire of management options. Owing to the varied presentation, diagnostic tools, and management of AA have also been proposed in special groups such as pregnant patients, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. This article seeks to raise the critical debates about what is currently known about the above aspects of AA and explore the latest controversies in the field. Considering the ever-evolving coronavirus disease 2019 situation worldwide, we also discuss the pandemic’s repercussions on patients and how surgeons’ practices have evolved in the context of AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Zheng Jie Teng
- Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore
- Department of Undergraduate Medicine, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Xuan Rong Thong
- Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore
- Department of Undergraduate Medicine, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Kai Yuan Lau
- Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore
- Department of Undergraduate Medicine, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | | | - Vishal G Shelat
- Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore
- Department of Undergraduate Medicine, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore 308232, Singapore
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Hayatghaibi SE, Trout AT, Dillman JR, Callahan M, Iyer R, Nguyen H, Riedesel E, Ayyala RS. Trends in Pediatric Appendicitis and Imaging Strategies During Covid-19 in the United States. Acad Radiol 2021; 28:1500-1506. [PMID: 34493456 PMCID: PMC8390378 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To determine if, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, 1) the proportion of complicated appendicitis changed, and 2) if imaging strategies for appendicitis in children changed. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective cross-sectional study using administrative data from the Pediatric Health Information System, inclusive of pediatric patients diagnosed with appendicitis from March to May in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. We compared trends during COVID-19 pandemic (March-May 2020) with corresponding pre-COVID-19 periods in 2017-201.9 Study outcomes were the proportion of complicated appendicitis and trends in imaging for appendicitis explained by patient-level variables. RESULTS The proportion of complicated appendicitis cases increased by 4.4 percentage points, from 46.5% pre-COVID-19 (2017-2019) to 50.9% during COVID-19 (2020), p < 0.001. Mean count of uncomplicated acute appendicitis cases decreased from pre-COVID-19 to the 2020 COVID-19 period (2017: n = 2555; 2018: n = 2679; 2019: n = 2722; 2020: n = 2231). Mean count of complicated appendicitis was unchanged between study periods (2017: n = 2189; 2018: n = 2302, 2019: n = 2442; 2020: n = 2311). Imaging approaches were largely unchanged between study periods; ultrasound was the most utilized modality in both study periods (68.3%, 70.2%; p = 0.033). CONCLUSION During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of complicated appendicitis cases increased without an absolute increase in the number of complicated appendicitis cases, but instead a decrease in the number of uncomplicated acute appendicitis diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shireen E Hayatghaibi
- Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Texas; University of Texas, School of Public Health, Houston, Texas
| | - Andrew T Trout
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Jonathan R Dillman
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH; Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Michael Callahan
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ramesh Iyer
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - HaiThuy Nguyen
- Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Texas
| | - Erica Riedesel
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Pediatric Radiology, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Division of Pediatric Radiology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rama S Ayyala
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH; Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH.
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Kim CW, Lee SH. Impact of COVID-19 on the care of acute appendicitis: a single-center experience in Korea. Ann Surg Treat Res 2021; 101:240-246. [PMID: 34692596 PMCID: PMC8506019 DOI: 10.4174/astr.2021.101.4.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects healthcare systems worldwide; however, few studies have assessed the impact of COVID-19 on emergent surgical diseases. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the care given to patients with acute appendicitis in Korea. Methods Between November 2019 and November 2020, 495 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for acute appendicitis. The patients were divided into prepandemic and pandemic groups. The baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes were compared. Results The time between admission and surgery was longer in the pandemic group than in the prepandemic group (17.6 hours vs. 9 hours, P < 0.001). The operation time was longer (5.8 minutes, P = 0.014), inflammation was more severe (10%, P = 0.036), and more patients visited the emergency room (82.1% vs. 73.3%, P = 0.025) in the pandemic group than in the prepandemic group. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications or length of hospital stay between the 2 groups. After propensity score matching, the time to surgery was delayed (17.3 hours vs. 9 hours, P < 0.001) and more patients visited the emergency room (84.5% vs. 73.3%, P = 0.020) in the pandemic group. Conclusion In the COVID-19 era, the characteristics of patients with acute appendicitis and inflammation worsened. The time to surgery was delayed due to the requirement for preoperative COVID-19 testing and increased the severity of appendicitis did not affect the perioperative outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Woo Kim
- Department of Surgery, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Suk-Hwan Lee
- Department of Surgery, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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The effect of the Covid-19 outbreak on the management of acute appendicitis: A retrospective comparative cohort study. JOURNAL OF SURGERY AND MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.28982/josam.960850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Is there an increased incidence of orchiectomy in pediatric patients with acute testicular torsion during COVID-19 pandemic?-A retrospective multicenter study. J Pediatr Urol 2021; 17:479.e1-479.e6. [PMID: 33994321 PMCID: PMC8087574 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2021.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Testicular torsion is a real emergency condition which requires prompt diagnosis and surgical management to prevent testicular loss. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, an increased avoidance of the emergency departments for non-COVID-19 illnesses has been reported in the medical literature. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic caused increased number of orchiectomies in pediatric patients presenting with acute testicular torsion compared to pre-COVID-19 period. STUDY DESIGN A total number of 119 pediatric patients who underwent surgery for acute testicular torsion from January 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled in retrospective multi-center study from six institutions in Croatia. The patients were divided in two groups. The first group (pre-COVID-19) consisted of the patients who underwent surgery before COVID-19 pandemic (n = 68), while the second group (COVID-19) consisted of the patients who underwent surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 51). Main outcomes of the study were orchiectomy rates and time from onset of the symptoms to emergency department presentation. RESULTS During the COVID-19 pandemic period 43.1% (22/51) of the patients underwent orchiectomy while orchiectomy was performed in 16.2% (11/68) of the patients from the pre-COVID group (p = 0.001). Median time from onset of the symptoms to emergency department presentation during COVID-19 pandemic and pre-COVID-19 periods was 14h (IQR 5, 48) and 6h (IQR 3, 22) (p = 0.007), respectively. A higher proportion of patients waited over 24 h to present to emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 period (47% vs 8.8%, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION During COVID-19 pandemic a significantly higher rates of orchiectomies and increase in delayed presentations for testicular torsion was found. More patient education during pandemic in regards to management of emergency conditions such as testicular torsion is required.
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Lock JF, Köhler F, Germer CT, Flemming S, Wiegering A. [Impact of COVID-19 on elective and emergency colorectal surgery]. Chirurg 2021; 92:924-928. [PMID: 34258647 PMCID: PMC8276841 DOI: 10.1007/s00104-021-01464-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has led to far-reaching changes in the treatment reality in practically all fields of medicine. OBJECTIVE Recommendations on the perioperative management with respect to SARS-CoV‑2 and presentation of the impact of the pandemic on colorectal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic literature search was carried out. RESULTS Perioperative SARS-CoV‑2 infections lead to a clearly increased postoperative mortality and must be avoided by a structured bundle of measures. The worldwide limitations on screening investigations and treatment options can in the medium term result in an increased mortality due to colorectal cancer. In emergency treatment there was also a substantial reduction in case numbers with the danger of delayed interventions. CONCLUSION A rapid normalization of clinical treatment pathways in colorectal surgery is necessary to avoid long-term negative sequelae for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan F Lock
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein‑, Viszeral‑, Transplantations‑, Gefäß- und Kinderchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Franziska Köhler
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein‑, Viszeral‑, Transplantations‑, Gefäß- und Kinderchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Christoph-Thomas Germer
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein‑, Viszeral‑, Transplantations‑, Gefäß- und Kinderchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Deutschland.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Sven Flemming
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein‑, Viszeral‑, Transplantations‑, Gefäß- und Kinderchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | - Armin Wiegering
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein‑, Viszeral‑, Transplantations‑, Gefäß- und Kinderchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Deutschland. .,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland. .,Lehrstuhl für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, Biozentrum, Würzburg, Deutschland.
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Bowen JM, Sheen JRC, Whitmore H, Wright C, Bowling K. Acute appendicitis in the COVID-19 era: A complicated situation? Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021; 67:102536. [PMID: 34230852 PMCID: PMC8252704 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute appendicitis is the most common intra-abdominal surgical emergency in the world. Null hypothesis of no difference in the number of cases of complicated appendicitis. What impact did the government's ‘Stay at Home’ message have? Increasing body of evidence to support non-operative treatment in certain cases. A significantly higher rate of complicated cases found in the COVID era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel M Bowen
- Specialty Trainee Department of Colorectal Surgery, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Jonathon R C Sheen
- Specialty Trainee Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Helen Whitmore
- Specialty Trainee Department of Colorectal Surgery, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Chloe Wright
- Trust Doctor Department of General Surgery, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Kirk Bowling
- Consultant Department of Upper G.I. Surgery, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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Answer to letter: The decrease of non-complicated acute appendicitis and the negative appendectomy rate during pandemic. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2021; 47:1371-1372. [PMID: 34173854 DOI: 10.1007/s00068-021-01731-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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The decrease of non-complicated acute appendicitis and the negative appendectomy rate during pandemic. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2021; 47:1369. [PMID: 34137909 PMCID: PMC8210503 DOI: 10.1007/s00068-021-01730-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Burgard M, Cherbanyk F, Nassiopoulos K, Malekzadeh S, Pugin F, Egger B. An effect of the COVID-19 pandemic: Significantly more complicated appendicitis due to delayed presentation of patients! PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249171. [PMID: 34032800 PMCID: PMC8148360 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims of the study The novel coronavirus pandemic has affected emergency department consultations for surgical pathologies. The aim of our study was to compare the number of acute appendicitis cases and the proportion of complicated appendicitis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We retrospectively analyzed all data collected from a multi-center database of patients presenting to the emergency department for acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 12 to June 6, 2020, and compared these data with those from the same periods in 2017, 2018, and 2019. The number of acute appendicitis cases, proportion of complicated appendicitis, and pre- and postoperative patient characteristics were evaluated. Results A total of 306 patients were included in this evaluation. Sixty-five patients presented during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (group A), and 241 patients in previous years (group B: 2017–2019). The number of consultations for acute appendicitis decreased by almost 20 percent during the pandemic compared with previous periods, with a significant increase in complicated appendicitis (52% in group A versus 20% in group B, p < 0,001.). Comparing the two groups, significant differences were also noted in the duration of symptoms (symptoms > 48h in 61% and 26%, p < 0,001), the intervention time (77 vs 61 minutes, p = 0,002), length of hospital stay (hospitalization of > 2 days in 63% and 32%, p < 0.001) and duration of antibiotic treatment (antibiotics > 3 days in 36% and 24% p = 0.001). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a decreased number of consultations for acute appendicitis, with a higher proportion of complicated appendicitis, most likely due to patient delay in consulting the emergency department at symptom onset. Patients and general practitioners should be aware of this problem to avoid a time delay from initial symptoms to consultation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Burgard
- Department of Surgery, HFR Fribourg—Cantonal Hospital Fribourg, Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland
| | - Floryn Cherbanyk
- Department of Surgery, HFR Fribourg—Cantonal Hospital Fribourg, Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland
| | | | - Sonaz Malekzadeh
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, HFR Fribourg—Cantonal Hospital Fribourg, Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland
| | - François Pugin
- Department of Surgery, HFR Fribourg—Cantonal Hospital Fribourg, Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Egger
- Department of Surgery, HFR Fribourg—Cantonal Hospital Fribourg, Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Ceresoli M, Coccolini F, Magnone S, Lucianetti A, Bisagni P, Armao T, Ansaloni L, Zago M, Chiarugi M, Catena F, Braga M. The decrease of non-complicated acute appendicitis and the negative appendectomy rate during pandemic. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2021; 47:1359-1365. [PMID: 33844036 PMCID: PMC8040760 DOI: 10.1007/s00068-021-01663-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background During pandemic, admissions for surgical emergencies dropped down dramatically. Also acute appendicitis decreased. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the change in volume and clinical presentation of patients with acute appendicitis during pandemic and the variation in treatment. Methods This is a retrospective study of patients admitted in 11 Italian hospital for acute appendicitis during the lockdown period (March–April 2020) compared with the same period of the previous 2 years (2018–2019). The number and the rate of complicated and non-complicated acute appendicitis were recorded and compared between the two study periods; non-operative vs operative treatment and negative appendectomy rate were also recorded. Results The study included 532 patients, 112 in the study period and 420 in the control period; Hospital admission for acute appendicitis dropped by 46% (OR 0.516 95% CI 0.411–0.648 p < 0.001) during the 2020 lockdown. The number of complicated acute appendicitis did not change (− 18%, OR 0.763 95% CI 0.517–1.124 p = 0.1719), whereas the number of non-complicated acute appendicitis significantly decreased (− 56%, OR 0.424 95% CI 0.319–0.564 p < 0.001). Non-operative treatment rate remained similar (12.1% vs. 11.6% p = 0.434). The negative appendectomy rate also significantly decreased (6.1% vs. 17.3%, p = 0.006). Conclusions The present study found a significant reduction of both admissions for non-complicated acute appendicitis and negative appendectomy rate during the pandemic period. Conversely, admissions for complicated acute appendicitis did not change. Trial registration: NCT04649996.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ceresoli
- General and Emergency Surgery Dept, School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900, Monza, Italy.
| | - Federico Coccolini
- Emergency Surgery and Trauma Center Dept, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Magnone
- General and Emergency Surgery Dept, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Bisagni
- General and Emergency Surgery Dept, ASST Lodi, Lodi, Italy
| | - Teodora Armao
- General and Emergency Surgery Dept, ASST Lodi, Lodi, Italy
| | - Luca Ansaloni
- General and Emergency Surgery Dept, IRCCS San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mauro Zago
- Robotic and Emergency Surgery Dept, ASST Lecco, Ospedale Manzoni, Lecco, Italy
| | - Massimo Chiarugi
- Emergency Surgery and Trauma Center Dept, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fausto Catena
- Emergency Surgery Dept, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Braga
- General and Emergency Surgery Dept, School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900, Monza, Italy
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Barie PS, Ho VP, Hunter CJ, Kaufman EJ, Narayan M, Pieracci FM, Schubl SD, Heffernan DS, Huston JM. Surgical Infection Society Guidance for Restoration of Surgical Services during the Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic. Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2021; 22:818-827. [PMID: 33635145 DOI: 10.1089/sur.2020.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: As the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues globally, high numbers of new infections are developing nationwide, particularly in the U.S. Midwest and along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The need to accommodate growing numbers of hospitalized patients has led facilities in affected areas to suspend anew or curtail normal hospital activities, including elective surgery, even as earlier-affected areas normalized surgical services. Backlogged surgical cases now number in the tens of millions globally. Facilities will be hard-pressed to address these backlogs, even absent the recrudescence of COVID-19. This document provides guidance for the safe and effective resumption of surgical services as circumstances permit. Methods: Review and synthesis of pertinent international peer-reviewed literature, with integration of expert opinion. Results: The "second-wave" of serious infections is placing the healthcare system under renewed stress. Surgical teams likely will encounter persons harboring the virus, whether symptomatic or not. Continued vigilance and protection of patients and staff remain paramount. Reviewed are the impact of COVID-19 on the surgical workforce, considerations for operating on a COVID-19 patient and the outcomes of such operations, the size and nature of the surgical backlog, and the logistics of resumption, including organizational considerations, patient and staff safety, preparation of the surgical candidate, and the role of enhanced recovery programs to reduce morbidity, length of stay, and cost by rational, equitable resource utilization. Conclusions: Resumption of surgical services requires institutional commitment (including teams of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, dieticians, and administrators). Structured protocols and equitable implementation programs, and iterative audit, planning, and integration will improve outcomes, enhance safety, preserve resources, and reduce cost, all of which will contribute to safe and successful reduction of the surgical backlog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip S Barie
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vanessa P Ho
- Department of Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Catherine J Hunter
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Elinore J Kaufman
- Department of Surgery, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mayur Narayan
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fredric M Pieracci
- Department of Surgery, DenverHealth Medical Center, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Sebastian D Schubl
- Department of Surgery, University of California-Irvine, Orange, California, USA
| | - Daithi S Heffernan
- Department of Surgery, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Jared M Huston
- Department of Surgery, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, New York, USA.,Department of Science Education, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, New York, USA
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Rising incidence of appendiceal neoplasms over time: Does pathological handling of appendectomy specimens play a role? Ann Diagn Pathol 2021; 52:151724. [PMID: 33667971 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2021.151724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appendectomy is the most common emergent surgical procedure. Primary appendiceal neoplasms are rare entities that are usually detected incidentally in less than 2% of all appendectomies. The increase in the incidence rates of appendiceal neoplasms over time raises the question whether there is an actual change in the disease occurrence or is it a matter of increased recognition and reporting of what would have been previously missed and undiagnosed. OBJECTIVES In our study, we aimed to review the archived tissue specimens of patients who were diagnosed with appendiceal neoplasms during the past decade at our institution and compare our clinical experience with published data to identify possible reasons that contribute to the increase in incidence rates of such neoplasms over the past few years. METHODS Using a pathological database of surgical specimens from patients who underwent appendectomies between January 01, 2010 and September 30, 2020 at a large academic medical center, a single-center retrospective cohort analysis was performed, and medical charts of patients were reviewed. RESULTS Of the total 1568 patients included, 102 (6.5%) had appendiceal neoplasms divided between primary (79.4%) and secondary/metastatic (20.6%) neoplasms. Annual incidence of appendiceal neoplasms over the past 10 years in our institution demonstrated an increasing trend from 5.6% in 2010 to 12.7% in 2020, which we hypothesize might be attributed to submitting more representative sections of the appendix for pathological examination than we had previously. Our results also showed that 2.8% of patients initially presenting with a typical clinical picture of acute appendicitis had appendiceal neoplasms as a truly incidental finding, while 20.3% of patients who underwent elective appendectomies for a suspicious appendiceal mass were found to be neoplastic. Interestingly, among the 80 cases of epithelial neoplasms, more non-carcinoid neoplasms were detected than carcinoid tumors. CONCLUSION Based on our results and what has been published recently, we confirm an additional increase in incidental appendiceal neoplasms found in appendectomies performed for a clinical picture of acute appendicitis, which may be related to more thorough specimen assessment. Whether this is clinically impactful remains to be determined. However, these data support a modification in the way appendectomy specimens are handled in pathology labs post-operatively.
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Rate of Application and Outcome of Non-operative Management of Acute Appendicitis in the Setting of COVID-19: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Gastrointest Surg 2021; 25:1905-1915. [PMID: 33772399 PMCID: PMC7997536 DOI: 10.1007/s11605-021-04988-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-operative management (NOM) of acute appendicitis has been assessed in several studies before COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review aimed to assess the extent of adoption, efficacy, and safety of NOM of acute appendicitis in the setting of COVID-19. METHODS This was a PRISMA-compliant systematic review of the literature. Electronic databases and Google Scholar were queried for studies that applied NOM of acute appendicitis during COVID-19. The main outcome measures were the rates of NOM application during the pandemic as compared to the pre-pandemic period, failure and complication rates of NOM. Failure was defined as the need for appendectomy during NOM and complications included development of appendicular mass or abscess. RESULTS Fourteen studies (2140 patients) were included. The male to female ratio was 1.44:1 and median age was 34. Nine hundred fifty-nine (44.8%) patients had a trial of NOM. The weighted mean rate of NOM application was 50.1% (95%CI: 29.8-70.5%). The application of NOM during the pandemic was significantly more likely than its application before COVID-19 (OR = 6.7, p < 0.001). The weight mean failure rate of NOM was 16.4% (95%CI: 9.4-23.4). NOM failure was more likely in children and patients with complicated appendicitis. The weighted mean complication rate after NOM was 4.5% (95%CI: 1.4-7.7). NOM had significantly lower odds for complications than appendectomy (OR = 0.36, p = 0.03). There was no mortality after application of NOM. CONCLUSION NOM of acute appendicitis in the setting of COVID-19 may be a safe, short-term alternative to surgery with acceptably low failure and complication rates.
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Schäfer FM, Meyer J, Kellnar S, Warmbrunn J, Schuster T, Simon S, Meyer T, Platzer J, Hubertus J, Seitz ST, Knorr C, Stehr M. Increased Incidence of Perforated Appendicitis in Children During COVID-19 Pandemic in a Bavarian Multi-Center Study. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:683607. [PMID: 34026695 PMCID: PMC8138624 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.683607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Since early 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic and statutory preventive reorganization of treatment capacities with cancellation of elective surgery as well as curfew regulations led to vastly decreased utilization of primary health care. Materials and Methods: To assess whether there are negative effects on pediatric acute care in Bavaria during the spring 2020 lockdown a state-wide retrospective multi-center study was performed to analyze the rate of perforated appendicitis during lockdown. Children who have been operated on during the corresponding period in 2018/19 served as control group. Results: Overall, 514 patients (292 boys, 222 girls) were included (2020: 176 patients; 2019: 181 patients; 2018: 157 patients). Median age was 11.2 years. Four hundred thirty-nine patients (85.4%) underwent laparoscopic surgery, 69 (13.4%) open surgery and 1.2% underwent conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery. In 2020 a perforation rate of 27.8% (49/176 patients) was found, in 2018-2019 perforation rate was 20.7% (70/338 patients, p = 0.0359, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel-Test). Subgroup analysis showed that in younger patients (≤ 11.2 years), in 2020 perforation rate was significantly higher with 37.6% (32/85 patients), while 22.2% (39/176) in 2018/2019 (p = 0.014, Fisher's exact test).In boys perforation rate was significantly higher in 2020 with 35.0% (35/100 patients) compared to 21.4% in 2018-2019 (p = 0.0165, Fisher's exact test). Conclusion: During the period of curfew regulations in Bavaria the rate of perforated appendicitis in childhood increased significantly, especially in younger children and boys. Potentially this has to be attributed to delayed presentation to pediatric surgery care. Because of potential long-term sequelae of perforated appendicitis these adverse effects during curfew have to be taken into account for future political decision making to ensure reasonable patient care and avoid collateral damage in near-future or on-going pandemic situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank-Mattias Schäfer
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, Cnopfsche Kinderklinik, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Meyer
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, Cnopfsche Kinderklinik, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Kellnar
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Klinikum Dritter Orden, Munich, Germany
| | - Jakob Warmbrunn
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Klinikum Schwabing, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Schuster
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Simon
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Urology and Pediatric Trauma, Hospital for General, Visceral, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julia Platzer
- Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Children's Hospital St. Marien gGmbH, Landshut, Germany
| | - Jochen Hubertus
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sigurd T Seitz
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Knorr
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Orthopedics, Barmherzige Brüder Hospital - St. Hedwig Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Stehr
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, Cnopfsche Kinderklinik, Nuremberg, Germany
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