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Sogbodjor LA, Razavi C, Williams K, Selman A, Pereira SMP, Davenport M, Moonesinghe SR. Risk factors for complications after emergency surgery for paediatric appendicitis: a national prospective observational cohort study. Anaesthesia 2024; 79:524-534. [PMID: 38387160 DOI: 10.1111/anae.16184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Appendicectomy is a common procedure in children with a low risk of mortality, however, complication rates and risk factors are largely unknown. This study aimed to characterise the incidence and epidemiology of postoperative complications in children undergoing appendicectomy in the UK. This multicentre prospective observational cohort study, which included children aged 1-16 y who underwent surgery for suspected appendicitis, was conducted between November 2019 and January 2022. The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative morbidity. Data collected included: patient characteristics; comorbidities; and physiological status. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for poor outcomes. Data from 2799 children recruited from 80 hospitals were analysed, of which 185 (7%) developed postoperative complications. Children from black and 'other' minority ethnic groups were at significantly higher risk of poor outcomes: OR (95%CI) 4.13 (1.87-9.08), p < 0.001 and 2.08 (1.12-3.87), p = 0.021, respectively. This finding was independent of socio-economic status and type of appendicitis found on histology. Other risk factors for complications included: ASA physical status ≥ 3 (OR (95%CI) 4.05 (1.70-9.67), p = 0.002); raised C-reactive protein (OR 95%CI 1.01 (1.00-1.01), p < 0.001); pyrexia (OR (95%CI) 1.77(1.20-2.63), p = 0.004); and peri-operative oxygen supplementation (OR (95%CI) 4.20 (1.44-12.24), p = 0.009). In the UK NHS, which is a universally accessible healthcare system, ethnicity, but not socio-economic status, was associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications in children having surgery for acute appendicitis. Further evaluations and interventions are required to address this health inequality in keeping with NHS and international priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Sogbodjor
- Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Centre for Research and Improvement, Royal College of Anaesthetists, London, UK
| | - C Razavi
- Centre for Research and Improvement, Royal College of Anaesthetists, London, UK
- Department of Anaesthesia, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - K Williams
- Centre for Research and Improvement, Royal College of Anaesthetists, London, UK
| | - A Selman
- Department of Anaesthesia, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - S M Pinto Pereira
- Centre for Peri-operative Medicine, Research Department for Targeted Intervention, UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, London, UK
| | - M Davenport
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, King's College London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - S R Moonesinghe
- Centre for Peri-operative Medicine, Research Department for Targeted Intervention, UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, London, UK
- Central London National Institute for Health Research Patient Safety Research Collaboration, London, UK
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Filip F, Avramia R, Terteliu-Baitan M, Cocuz ME, Filip R. COVID-19 positive cases in a pediatric surgery department from Romania: Case series from 2 years of pandemics. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36235. [PMID: 38050253 PMCID: PMC10695600 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE The COVID-19 pandemic had a dramatic effect on various health systems in terms of admissions and outcomes, including pediatric surgery activity. The aim of this paper was to analyze the outcome of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients admitted to our department during the regional COVID-19 pandemic in North-Eastern Romania. We also evaluated the changes generated in our daily practice by the COVID-19 pandemic and the dynamic response to this major challenge. PATIENT CONCERNS The patients presented with symptoms related to their primary diagnosis: local pain and deformity in case of fractures; pain, swelling, and erythema in case of abscess; pain and decreased range of motion (ROM) in case of intolerance to metal implants. Other specific concerns are mentioned on an individual basis. DIAGNOSES Eighteen patients (of which 4 had acute appendicitis and were included in a previous article), representing 1.18% of the total number of admissions, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. There were 4 patients with fractures, 3 patients with soft tissue abscess or cellulitis, 2 patients with intolerance to metal implants, 1 patient with facial burn, 1 patient with thumb laceration, 1 patient with liver trauma, 1 patient with undescende testis, and 1 patient with symptomatic inguinal hernia, respectively. Boys represented 11/ 14 (78.57%) of the cases. The mean age of the patients was 9 years 11 months. There were only mild COVID-19 cases. INTERVENTIONS Surgery was performed in 13/ 14 (95.71%) of cases. The fractures were treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF); incision and drainage (I & D) were performed in case of soft tissue abscess; the metal implants were removed in case of local intolerance. Other conditions (burn, inguinal hernia, undescended testis, skin laceration) were treated specifically. Only 1 patient with liver laceration was treated conservatively under close hemodynamic monitoring. OUTCOMES The mean length of stay (LoS) was 2.71 days. The infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus had no deleterious effect on the surgical outcome among the 14 patients included in the study. There were no surgical complications during admission and no patient returned for late complications related to their primary disease or SARS-CoV-2 infection. LESSONS The SARS-CoV-2 infection had no significant influence on the outcome of pediatric surgical cases included in the study. We noticed a significant (31.54%) decrease in the number of admissions compared to the previous 2-year interval before the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast and adequate adjustment of the daily activity imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic was feasible and may be used in the future should similar epidemiological emergencies occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florin Filip
- College of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
- Suceava Emergency County Hospital, Suceava, Romania
| | | | - Monica Terteliu-Baitan
- College of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
- Suceava Emergency County Hospital, Suceava, Romania
| | - Maria - Elena Cocuz
- Fundamental Prophylactic and Clinical Disciplines Department, Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brașov, Romania
- Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital of Brasov, Brasov, Romania
| | - Roxana Filip
- College of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania
- Suceava Emergency County Hospital, Suceava, Romania
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Miscia ME, Lauriti G, Di Renzo D, Cascini V, Lisi G. Management and outcomes of acute appendicitis in children during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatr Surg Int 2023; 40:11. [PMID: 38017246 PMCID: PMC10684649 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-023-05594-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way to manage the emergencies, as people faced fear of the hospitals, with possible delay in the diagnosis. Moreover, clinicians had to rearrange protocols for diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to assess whether COVID-19 pandemic influenced severity of inflammation, management, and outcomes of acute appendicitis (AA), when compared to the pre-COVID era. Using defined search strategy, two independent investigators identified those studies comparing pediatric AA during COVID-19 pandemic versus the pre-COVID-19 period. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3. Data are mean ± SD. Of 528 abstracts, 36 comparative studies were included (32,704pts). Time from symptoms onset to surgery was longer during the pandemics compared to the pre-COVID-19 (1.6 ± 0.9 versus 1.4 ± 0.9 days; p < 0.00001). Minimally Invasive Surgery was similar during COVID-19 (70.4 ± 30.2%) versus control period (69.6 ± 25.3%; p = ns). Complicated appendicitis was increased during the pandemics (35.9 ± 14.8%) compared to control period (33.4 ± 17.2%; p < 0.0001). Post-operative complications were comparable between these two groups (7.7 ± 6.5% versus 9.1 ± 5.3%; p = ns). It seems that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the time of diagnosis, severity of inflammation, and type of surgery. However, the number of post-operative complications was not different between the two groups, leading to the conclusion that the patients were correctly managed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 Meta-analysis on Level 3 studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Enrica Miscia
- Department of Medicine and Aging Science, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Spirito Santo" Hospital of Pescara, Pescara, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauriti
- Department of Medicine and Aging Science, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Spirito Santo" Hospital of Pescara, Pescara, Italy.
| | - Dacia Di Renzo
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Spirito Santo" Hospital of Pescara, Pescara, Italy
| | - Valentina Cascini
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Spirito Santo" Hospital of Pescara, Pescara, Italy
| | - Gabriele Lisi
- Department of Medicine and Aging Science, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via L. Polacchi 11, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Spirito Santo" Hospital of Pescara, Pescara, Italy
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Fadgyas B, Őri D, Vajda P. [Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the outcome of testicular torsion in children]. Orv Hetil 2023; 164:1367-1372. [PMID: 37660346 DOI: 10.1556/650.2023.32854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic influenced not only the elective, but the acute surgeries also, all around the world. Some authors found more delayed cases and more orchiectomies performed in childhood because of testicular torsions during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of childhood testicular torsion and the frequency of semicastration due to torsion at the first author's institute. METHODS A retrospective observational cohort study was performed in a representative Hungarian centre. Boys under 18 years of age operated with testicular torsion were divided into two groups: before COVID-19 (BC; 01/07/2017-31/12/2019) and during COVID-19 (DC; 01/01/2020-30/06/2022) pandemic. PARAMETERS elapsed time between the first symptom and arrival at the hospital (<24 h or >24 h), elapsed time to start the surgical procedure since the arrival to the hospital and the rate of semicastration were analysed. For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U and chi2 tests were used. RESULTS During the study period, altogether, 100 patients (45 BC and 55 DC) were operated on testicular torsion. Statistically significant difference was found between the two timeframes: in the elapsed time from the first symptom and arrival at the hospital (p = 0.048). During the pandemic surgeries started earlier (1.5; 2.5 h) than before the pandemic (1.5; 3.25 h, p = 0.01). No difference was found in the frequency of semicastration between the groups (p = 0.594). DISCUSSION Contrary to the literature, during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with testicular torsion arrived earlier at the hospital, and surgeries were started earlier, than before the pandemic at the investigated institute. CONCLUSION The reason behind this accelerated care pathway might be the absence of less severe cases during the COVID-19 period. When people are more prone to stay home, if it does not seem necessary to seek help for any kind of non-urgent medical problem. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(35): 1367-1372.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Fadgyas
- 1 Heim Pál Országos Gyermekgyógyászati Intézet, Sebészeti és Traumatológiai Osztály Budapest, Üllői út 86., 1089 Magyarország
- 2 Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Gyermekgyógyászati Klinika, Manuális Tanszék Pécs Magyarország
| | - Dorottya Őri
- 3 Heim Pál Országos Gyermekgyógyászati Intézet, Mentálhigiéniai Központ Budapest Magyarország
- 4 Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Magatartástudományi Intézet Budapest Magyarország
| | - Péter Vajda
- 2 Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Gyermekgyógyászati Klinika, Manuális Tanszék Pécs Magyarország
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Mallikarjuna P, Goswami S, Ma S, Baik-Han W, Cervellione KL, Gulati G, Lew LQ. Comparison of Pediatric Acute Appendicitis Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in New York City. West J Emerg Med 2023; 24:956-961. [PMID: 37788037 PMCID: PMC10527842 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.59393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common abdominal surgical emergency in children and adolescents. In the year immediately following the declaration of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), there was a precipitous decline in emergency department (ED) visits especially for surgical conditions and infectious diseases. Fear of exposure to severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 infection resulted in delay in presentation and time to surgery, and a shift toward more conservative management. Objective: Our goal was to compare the incidence and severity of AA before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Patients aged 2-18 years admitted with the diagnosis of AA to Flushing Hospital Medical Center or Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, New York, were selected for chart review. Data extracted from electronic health records included demographics, clinical findings, imaging studies, and operative and pathological findings. We calculated the Alvarado score (AS) for incidence and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade for severity. We compared patients admitted between March 1, 2018-February 29, 2020 (pre-pandemic) to patients admitted between March 1, 2020-February 28, 2021 (pandemic). We then compared pre-pandemic and pandemic groups to determine differences in pediatric AA incidence and severity. Results: Of 239 patients diagnosed with AA, 184 (77%) were in the pre-pandemic group and 55 (23%) in the pandemic group. Incidence (number per year) of AA declined by 40%. The pandemic group had significantly greater overall AS of ≥7, indicating increased likelihood to require surgery, (P = 0.04) and higher AAST grade demonstrating increased severity (P = 0.02). Conclusion: There was a decline in the number of AA cases seen in our pediatric EDs and admitted during the first year of the pandemic. Clinicians need to be aware of increased severity of AA at time of presentation during public health emergencies such as a pandemic, possibly due to modified patient behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Mallikarjuna
- Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Flushing, New York
| | - Saikat Goswami
- Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Flushing, New York
| | - Sandy Ma
- Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Flushing, New York
| | - Won Baik-Han
- Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Flushing, New York
| | | | - Gagan Gulati
- Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Flushing, New York
| | - Lily Q Lew
- Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Flushing, New York,
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Pantalos G, Papachristidou S, Mavrigiannaki E, Zavras N, Vaos G. Reasons for Delayed Diagnosis of Pediatric Acute Appendicitis during the COVID-19 Era: A Narrative Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2571. [PMID: 37568934 PMCID: PMC10417690 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13152571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Global pandemics cause health system disruptions. The inadvertent disruption in surgical emergency care during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the topic of several published studies. Our aim was to summarize the reasons that led to the delayed diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis during the COVID-19 era. This systematic literature search evaluated studies containing pediatric appendicitis patient data regarding outcomes, times to hospital admission or times from symptom onset to emergency department visit. Studies elucidating reasons for delays in the management of pediatric appendicitis were also reviewed. Ultimately, 42 studies were included. Several reasons for delayed diagnosis are analyzed such as changes to public health measures, fear of exposure to COVID-19, increased use of telemedicine, COVID-19 infection with concurrent acute appendicitis, recurrence of appendicitis after non-operative management and increased time to intraoperative diagnosis. Time to hospital admission in conjunction with patient outcomes was extracted and analyzed as an indicative measure of delayed management. Delayed diagnosis of acute appendicitis has been documented in many studies with various effects on outcomes. Suspicion of pediatric acute appendicitis must always lead to prompt medical examination, regardless of pandemic status. Telemedicine can be valuable if properly applied. Data from this era can guide future health system policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Pantalos
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Penteli General Children’s Hospital, 15236 Athens, Greece
| | - Smaragda Papachristidou
- Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, P. & A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Eleftheria Mavrigiannaki
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” General University Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece; (E.M.); (G.V.)
| | - Nikolaos Zavras
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” General University Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece; (E.M.); (G.V.)
| | - George Vaos
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” General University Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece; (E.M.); (G.V.)
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Cruz-Centeno N, Stewart S, Marlor DR, Fraser JA, St Peter SD, Oyetunji TA. Satisfaction With Same-Day Discharge After Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Nonperforated Appendicitis. J Surg Res 2023; 288:134-139. [PMID: 36966593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Same-day discharge (SDD) after laparoscopic appendectomy for acute nonperforated appendicitis is safe, without an increased rate of postoperative complications, emergency department visits, or readmissions. We aimed to evaluate caregiver satisfaction with this protocol. METHODS Patients discharged on the day of laparoscopic appendectomy for nonperforated acute appendicitis were identified between January 2022 and August 2022. Surveys to evaluate satisfaction with the protocol were distributed to the caregivers via email or text message 96 h after discharge. Telephone surveys were conducted if there were no responses to the initial online survey. The surveys assessed comfort with SDD, postoperative pain control adequacy, postoperative provider contact, and overall satisfaction. The protocol focused on avoidance of narcotics in the postoperative period and immediate return to a regular diet. RESULTS A total of 255 cases of nonperforated acute appendicitis underwent SDD. The survey response rate was 50.6% (n = 129). Most respondents were Caucasian (69.0%, n = 89) and male (51.9%, n = 67) with a median age of 12.0 y (IQR 8.9,14.7). The median postoperative length of hospital stay was 3.8 h (interquartile range [IQR] 3.2,4.8). The overall satisfaction rate was 91.5%, with 118 caregivers feeling satisfied with SDD. Most caregivers felt comfortable with the SDD protocol (89.9%, n = 116), with 22.5% (n = 29) calling a medical provider postoperatively. Approximately nine out of 10 caregivers reported that pain was adequately controlled (91.5%, n = 118). In contrast, those that were dissatisfied reported issues with pain control and anxiety with SDD after a surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS Caregiver satisfaction and comfort with same-day discharge following laparoscopic appendectomy is high with appropriate anticipatory guidance and preoperative education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelimar Cruz-Centeno
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Shai Stewart
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Derek R Marlor
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - James A Fraser
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Shawn D St Peter
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri; School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Tolulope A Oyetunji
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri; School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri.
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Andersson RE, Agiorgiti M, Bendtsen M. Spontaneous Resolution of Uncomplicated Appendicitis may Explain Increase in Proportion of Complicated Appendicitis During Covid-19 Pandemic: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. World J Surg 2023; 47:1901-1916. [PMID: 37140609 PMCID: PMC10158710 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-023-07027-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports of an increased proportion of complicated appendicitis during the Covid-19 pandemic suggest a worse outcome due to delay secondary to the restrained access to health care, but may be explained by a concomitant decrease in uncomplicated appendicitis. We analyze the impact of the pandemic on the incidences of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis. METHOD We did a systematic literature search in the PubMed, Embase and Web Of Science databases on December 21, 2022 with the search terms (appendicitis OR appendectomy) AND ("COVID" OR SARS-Cov2 OR "coronavirus"). Studies reporting the number of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis during identical calendar periods in 2020 and the pre-pandemic year(s) were included. Reports with indications suggesting a change in how the patients were diagnosed and managed between the two periods were excluded. No protocol was prepared in advance. We did random effects meta-analysis of the change in proportion of complicated appendicitis, expressed as the risk ratio (RR), and of the change in number of patients with complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis during the pandemic compared with pre-pandemic periods, expressed as the incidence ratio (IR). We did separate analyses for studies based on single- and multi-center and regional data, age-categories and prehospital delay. RESULTS The meta-analysis of 100,059 patients in 63 reports from 25 countries shows an increase in the proportion of complicated appendicitis during the pandemic period (RR 1.39, 95% confidence interval (95% CI 1.25, 1.53). This was mainly explained by a decreased incidence of uncomplicated appendicitis (incidence ratio (IR) 0.66, 95% CI 0.59, 0.73). No increase in complicated appendicitis was seen in multi-center and regional reports combined (IR 0.98, 95% CI 0.90, 1.07). CONCLUSION The increased proportion of complicated appendicitis during Covid-19 is explained by a decrease in the incidence of uncomplicated appendicitis, whereas the incidence of complicated appendicitis remained stable. This result is more evident in the multi-center and regional based reports. This suggests an increase in spontaneously resolving appendicitis due to the restrained access to health care. This has important principal implications for the management of patients with suspected appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland E Andersson
- Department of Surgery, County Hospital Ryhov, Box 1024, SE 551 11, Jönköping, Region Jönköpings Län, Sweden.
- Futurum, Academy for Health and Care, Jönköping, Region Jönköpings Län, Sweden.
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Maria Agiorgiti
- Bra Liv Eksjö Primary Care Centre, Eksjö, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
- Department of Experimental Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Marcus Bendtsen
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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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? Ann Pediatr Surg 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Filip F, Terteliu Baitan M, Avramia R, Filip R. Acute Appendicitis in COVID-19-Positive Children: Report of 4 Cases from an Endemic Area in Northeastern Romania. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 20:ijerph20010706. [PMID: 36613026 PMCID: PMC9819372 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common surgical emergencies in children. Some reports have suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic was responsible for delays in the diagnostic and proper treatment of AA in pediatric patients. The aim of our study was to perform a retrospective study of cases of AA in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection treated in a highly endemic area for COVID-19 in Romania during a 2-year time interval. The SARS-CoV-2 infection had no unfavorable impact on children who presented with AA. Further data analysis should clarify the overall influence of COVID-19 on the management of surgical pediatric patients in such endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florin Filip
- Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 720229 Suceava, Romania
- Suceava Emergency County Hospital, 720224 Suceava, Romania
| | - Monica Terteliu Baitan
- Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 720229 Suceava, Romania
- Suceava Emergency County Hospital, 720224 Suceava, Romania
| | - Ramona Avramia
- Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 720229 Suceava, Romania
- Suceava Emergency County Hospital, 720224 Suceava, Romania
- Synevo Laboratory, 720262 Suceava, Romania
| | - Roxana Filip
- Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 720229 Suceava, Romania
- Suceava Emergency County Hospital, 720224 Suceava, Romania
- Correspondence:
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11
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Rethi S, Kairam N, Amato CS, Allegra JR, Eskin B. Six Diagnoses of Separation: Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Emergency Department Visits: A Multicenter Study. J Emerg Med 2022; 63:723-728. [PMID: 36522811 PMCID: PMC9485421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) arrived in the New York metropolitan area in early March 2020. Recommendations were made to self-quarantine within households and limit outside visits, including those to clinics and hospitals, to limit the spread of the virus. This resulted in a decrease in pediatric emergency department (ED) visits. However, it is unclear how this affected visits for some common diagnoses such as anxiety, appendicitis, asthma, headaches, seizures, and urinary tract infection (UTI). These diagnoses were chosen a priori, as they were felt to represent visits to the ED, for which the diagnoses would likely not be altered based on COVID exposure or quarantine due to their acute nature. OBJECTIVES Our goal was to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on common pediatric diagnoses seen in the pediatric ED using a large multihospital database. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive pediatric patients (age ≤ 21 years) between March 1 and November 30 in 2019 and 2020 in 28 hospital EDs within 150 miles of New York City. We compared the change in the number of visits from 2019 to 2020 for the following diagnoses: anxiety, appendicitis, asthma, headache, seizures, and UTI. RESULTS Our database contained 346,230 total pediatric visits. From 2019 to 2020, total visits decreased by 61%. Decreases for specific diagnoses were 75% for asthma, 64% for headaches, 47% for UTI, 32% for anxiety, 28% for seizures, and 18% for appendicitis (p value for each comparison < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS We found a marked decrease in ED visits for six common pediatric diagnoses after COVID-19 arrived in our area. We suspect that this decrease was due to recommendations to quarantine and fear of contracting the virus. Further studies on other diagnoses and potential complications due to the delay in seeking care are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruthi Rethi
- Department of Pediatrics, Morristown, New Jersey,Reprint Address: Shruthi Rethi, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Morristown Medical Center, 100 Madison Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960
| | - Neeraja Kairam
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Goryeb Childrenʼs Hospital/Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, New Jersey
| | - Christopher S. Amato
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Goryeb Childrenʼs Hospital/Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, New Jersey
| | - John R. Allegra
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, New Jersey
| | - Barnet Eskin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, New Jersey
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12
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Muacevic A, Adler JR. Moving to Medical Treatment for COVID-19 Influence on Pediatric Appendicitis: A Meta-Analysis. Cureus 2022; 14:e32601. [PMID: 36654629 PMCID: PMC9840872 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute appendicitis (AA) is cited as the leading cause of surgical acute abdomen in pediatrics and the most frequent urgent surgical pathology worldwide. For a long time, surgical appendectomy has been effectively used as the first-line treatment for AA. Other conservative management practices, such as the use of antibiotics, have been applied in the treatment of appendicitis. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the surgical treatment strategies of AA in pediatrics, with many pediatric surgeons having to shift from upfront surgical appendectomy to conservative management involving the use of antibiotics as a treatment strategy. This meta-analysis compares the outcomes between appendectomy and conservative therapy in the management of AA during COVID-19 in pediatrics. Twenty-one articles fully met the inclusion criteria. Articles that were published more than five years ago were excluded from the analysis. Also, articles that included studies on the adult population were excluded. Results from various retrospective studies, prospective clinical controlled trials, correlational studies, and randomized clinical trials were analyzed. This study reveals that the use of antibiotics has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in the treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis. However, antibiotics have been shown to have some complications. Despite this being the case, the studies identified the potential of using antibiotics as a definitive treatment of uncomplicated AA in pediatrics. Further studies are required to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and recurrence of AA of this alternative treatment method.
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13
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Montanaro B, Rebosio F, Betalli P, La Pergola E. Response to: Effect of COVID-19 on pediatric appendectomy presentations and complications. J Pediatr Surg 2022; 57:246. [PMID: 35473667 PMCID: PMC8971056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2022.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Montanaro
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Bergamo Hospital, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy; Pediatric Surgery School, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Rebosio
- Pediatric Surgery School, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Pediatric Surgery Department, Children's Hospital, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Pietro Betalli
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Bergamo Hospital, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Enrico La Pergola
- Pediatric Surgery Department, San Bortolo Hospital, Azienda ULSS 8 Berica, Vicenza, Italy.
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14
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van Amstel P, El Ghazzaoui A, Hall NJ, Wester T, Morini F, van der Lee JH, Singer G, Pierro A, Zani A, Gorter RR. Paediatric appendicitis: international study of management in the COVID-19 pandemic. Br J Surg 2022; 109:1044-1048. [PMID: 36240511 PMCID: PMC9384519 DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znac239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul van Amstel
- Correspondence to: Paul van Amstel, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (e-mail: )
| | - Ali El Ghazzaoui
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nigel J Hall
- University Surgery Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Tomas Wester
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesco Morini
- Neonatal Surgery Unit, Medical and Surgical Department of the Fetus, Newborn, and Infant, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Johanna H van der Lee
- Pediatric Clinical Research Office, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands,Knowledge Institute of the Dutch Association of Medical Specialists, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Georg Singer
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Agostino Pierro
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Augusto Zani
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ramon R Gorter
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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15
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Choi YS, Yi JW, Chung CTY, Shin WY, Choi SK, Heo YS. Clinical Experience of Emergency Appendectomy under the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Single Institution in South Korea. Medicina (Kaunas) 2022; 58:medicina58060783. [PMID: 35744046 PMCID: PMC9230818 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58060783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought serious changes in healthcare systems worldwide, some of which have affected patients who need emergency surgery. Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical disease requiring emergency surgery. This study was performed to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the treatment of patients with acute appendicitis in South Korea. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a medical database that included patients who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis in our hospital from January 2019 to May 2021. We classified the patients into two groups according to whether they were treated before or after the COVID pandemic and 10 March 2020 was used as the cutoff date, which is when the World Health Organization declared the COVID pandemic. Results: A total of 444 patients were included in the “Pre-COVID-19” group and 393 patients were included in the “COVID-19” group. In the “COVID-19” group, the proportion of patients with severe morbidity was significantly lower. The time that the patients spent in the emergency room before surgery was significantly longer in the ”COVID-19” group (519.11 ± 486.57 min vs. 705.27 ± 512.59 min; p-value < 0.001). There was no difference observed in the severity of appendicitis or in the extent of surgery between the two groups. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a statistically significant time delay (186.16 min) was needed to confirm COVID-19 infection status. However, there was no clinical difference in the severity of appendicitis or in the extent of surgery. To ensure the safety of patients and medical staff, a COVID-19 PCR test should be performed.
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16
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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 Sci Rev (Oxf) 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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18
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Bosak Veršić A, Šestan M, Ćepić I, Nikolić H, Bukvić N, Sršen Medančić S, Hasandić D, Zelić M, Cirocchi R. Characteristics of Acute Appendicitis before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Single Center Experience. Emerg Med Int 2022; 2022:1-5. [PMID: 35251714 PMCID: PMC8894033 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4541748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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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19
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Vaos G, Zavras N. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic related morbidity and mortality in patients with pediatric surgical diseases: A concerning challenge. World J Methodol 2022; 12:20-31. [PMID: 35117979 PMCID: PMC8790310 DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v12.i1.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The global spread of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has had serious consequences in terms of patient morbidity and mortality and overburdened health care systems as well as the socioeconomic implications. In the absence of effective therapies and vaccinations during the viral outbreak, the major and most concise means to control viral spread is spread prevention. Although information concerning the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on pediatric surgical patients has greatly expanded, relevant comprehensive studies are scarce. However, pandemic related morbidity has increased, while under normal circumstances mortality could have been minimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Vaos
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, “ATTIKON” University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens 12462, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Zavras
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, “ATTIKON” University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens 12462, Greece
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20
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Pogorelić Z, Anand S, Žuvela T, Singh A, Križanac Z, Krishnan N. Incidence of Complicated Appendicitis during the COVID-19 Pandemic versus the Pre-Pandemic Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 2782 Pediatric Appendectomies. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:127. [PMID: 35054293 PMCID: PMC8774400 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12010127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted volume, management strategies and patient outcomes of acute appendicitis. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate whether the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in higher incidence of complicated appendicitis in children presenting with acute appendicitis compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. The secondary aim was to investigate the proportion of the patients treated by non-operative management (NOM). METHODS A systematic search of four scientific databases was performed. The search terms used were (coronavirus OR SARS-CoV-2 OR COVID-19 OR novel coronavirus) AND (appendicitis). The inclusion criteria were all patients aged <18 years and diagnosed with acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 periods. The proportion of children presenting with complicated appendicitis and the proportion of children managed by NOM was compared between the two groups. The Downs and Black scale was used for methodological quality assessment. RESULTS The present meta-analysis included thirteen studies (twelve retrospective studies and one cross-sectional study). A total of 2782 patients (1239 during the COVID-19 period) were included. A significantly higher incidence of complicated appendicitis (RR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.33-2.01, p < 0.00001) and a significantly higher proportion of children managed via the NOM (RR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.45-2.61, p < 0.00001) was observed in patients during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. CONCLUSION There is a significantly higher incidence of complicated appendicitis in children during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the pre-COVID-19 period. Additionally, a significantly higher proportion of children was managed via the NOM during the pandemic in comparison to the pre-pandemic period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenon Pogorelić
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Split, 21 000 Split, Croatia
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21 000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Sachit Anand
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai 400053, India;
| | - Tomislav Žuvela
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Split, 21 000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Apoorv Singh
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India; (A.S.); (N.K.)
| | - Zvonimir Križanac
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Split, 21 000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Nellai Krishnan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India; (A.S.); (N.K.)
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21
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Morini F, Romeo C, Chiarenza F, Esposito C, Gamba P, Gennari F, Inserra A, Cobellis G, Leva E, Angotti R, Raffaele A, Cacciaguerra S, Messina M, Lima M, Pelizzo G. Pediatric Surgical Care During the COVID-19 Lockdown: What Has Changed and Future Perspectives for Restarting in Italy. The Point of View of the Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:871819. [PMID: 35664866 PMCID: PMC9162442 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.871819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) time exacerbated some of the conditions already considered critical in pediatric health assistance before the pandemic. A new form of pediatric social abandonment has arisen leading to diagnostic delays in surgical disorders and a lack of support for the chronic ones. Health services were interrupted and ministerial appointments for pediatric surgical healthcare reprogramming were postponed. As a result, any determination to regulate the term "pediatric" specificity was lost. The aim is, while facing the critical issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, to rebuild future perspectives of pediatric surgical care in Italy. METHODS Each Pediatric Society, including the Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery (SICP), was asked by the Italian Federation of Pediatric Associations and Scientific Societies to fill a questionnaire, including the following the main issues: evaluation of pre-pandemic criticalities, pediatric care during the pandemic and recovery, and current criticalities. The future care model of our specialty was analyzed in the second part of the questionnaire. RESULTS Children are seriously penalized both for surgical treatment as well as for the diagnostic component. In most centers, the pediatric surgical teams have been integrated with the adult ones and the specificity of training the pediatric operating nursing is in danger of survival. "Emotional" management of the child is not considered by the general management and the child has become again an adults patient of reduced size. CONCLUSION A new functional pediatric surgical model needs to be established in general hospitals, including activities for day surgery and outpatient surgery. To support the care of the fragile child, a national health plan for the pediatric surgery is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Morini
- Neonatal Surgery Unit, AOU Meyer and University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Carmelo Romeo
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", Unit of Pediatric Surgery, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Fabio Chiarenza
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Ciro Esposito
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio Gamba
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Women's and Children's Health Department, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gennari
- Department of Pediatric General Surgery, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Inserra
- Surgical Oncology-General and Thoracic Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ernesto Leva
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossella Angotti
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, Hospital of "Santa Maria Alle Scotte", Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Raffaele
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Mario Messina
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, Hospital of "Santa Maria Alle Scotte", Siena, Italy
| | - Mario Lima
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gloria Pelizzo
- Pediatric Surgery Department of Pediatric Surgery, "V. Buzzi" Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science "L. Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Salman R, Sher AC, Guillerman RP, Seghers VJ, Rodriguez JR, Sangi-Haghpeykar H, Annapragada AV, Sammer MBK. Acute appendicitis and SARS-CoV-2 in children: imaging findings at a tertiary children's hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pediatr Radiol 2022; 52:460-7. [PMID: 34741178 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-021-05219-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may be associated with appendicitis or clinical symptoms that mimic appendicitis, but it is not clear if the findings or utility of imaging in pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis have changed since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVE To evaluate for potential differences in SARS-CoV-2 positive and SARS-CoV-2 negative pediatric patients imaged for suspected appendicitis to determine the reliability of the existing medical imaging approach for appendicitis in a population that contains both SARS-CoV-2 positive and SARS-CoV-2 negative pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients imaged for suspected appendicitis Apr. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020, were identified via an electronic medical records search. Differences in ultrasound (US) diagnostic performance, use of computed tomography (CT) following US, rates of appendicitis, imaging findings of appendicitis and perforation were compared between SARS-CoV-2 positive and SARS-CoV-2 negative tested patients, using pathology and surgery as reference standards for appendicitis and perforation, respectively. Fisher exact test and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS One thousand, six hundred and ninety-three patients < 18 years old met inclusion criteria, with 46% (772/1,693) female, 11 imaged with only CT and 1,682 with US. Comparing SARS-CoV-2 positive and SARS-CoV-2 negative patients, no statistically significant differences in sensitivity or specificity of US (P = 1 and P = 1, respectively), or in the US (P-values ranging from 0.1 to 1.0) or CT imaging findings (P-values ranging from 0.2 to 1.0) in appendicitis were found. Perforation rates were similar between SARS-CoV-2 positive (20/57, 35.1% perforated) and SARS-CoV-2 negative (359/785, 45.7% perforated) patients with appendicitis (P = 0.13). Use of CT following first-line US was similar, with 7/125 (5.6%) of SARS-CoV-2 positive imaged with CT after US and 127/1,557 (8.2%) of SARS-CoV-2 negative imaged with CT after US (P = 0.39). CONCLUSION In pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis, no significant difference was found in the diagnostic performance of US, CT usage or perforation rates between SARS-CoV-2 positive and SARS-CoV-2 negative patients.
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Torkzad MR, Thorisson A, Chabok A, Nikberg M, Andersson RE, Labruto F. Impact of COVID-19 on the incidence of CT-diagnosed appendicitis and its complications in the UK and Sweden. Int J Colorectal Dis 2022; 37:1375-83. [PMID: 35575916 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-022-04181-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM To compare the number of appendicitis cases and its complications, during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden and the UK and the corresponding time period in 2019. METHOD Reports of emergency abdominopelvic CT performed at 56 Swedish hospitals and 38 British hospitals between April and July 2020 and a corresponding control cohort from 2019 were reviewed. Two radiologists and two surgeons blinded to the date of cohorts analyzed all reports for diagnosis of appendicitis, perforation, and abscess. A random selection of cases was chosen for the measurement of inter-rater agreement. RESULT Both in Sweden (6111) and the UK (5591) fewer, abdominopelvic CT scans were done in 2020 compared to 2019 (6433 and 7223, respectively); p < 0.001. In the UK, the number of appendicitis was 36% lower in April-June 2020 compared to 2019 but not in Sweden. Among the appendicitis cases, there was a higher number of perforations and abscesses in 2020, in Sweden. In the UK, the number of perforations and abscesses were initially lower (April-June 2020) but increased in July 2020. There was a substantial inter-rater agreement for the diagnosis of perforations and abscess formations (K = 0.64 and 0.77). CONCLUSION In Sweden, the number of appendicitis was not different between 2019 and 2020; however, there was an increase of complications. In the UK, there was a significant decrease of cases in 2020. The prevalence of complications was lower initially but increased in July. These findings suggest variability in delay in diagnosis of appendicitis depending on the country and time frame studied.
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Vansevičienė I, Bučinskaitė D, Malcius D, Lukošiūtė-Urbonienė A, Beržanskis M, Čekanauskas E, Barauskas V. Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Prolong the Time Till Diagnosis and Worsen Outcomes for Children with Acute Appendicitis? Medicina (B Aires) 2021; 57:medicina57111234. [PMID: 34833452 PMCID: PMC8623899 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57111234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Our aim was to see if the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase of time until diagnosis, operation, and time spent in Emergency room (ER), and if it resulted in more cases of complicated appendicitis and complication rates in children. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Department with acute appendicitis during a 4-month period of the first COVID-19 pandemic and compared it to the previous year data—the same 4-month period in 2019. Results: During the pandemic, the time spent in the ER until arriving at the department increased significantly 2.85 vs. 0.98 h p < 0.001, and the time spent in the department until the operation 5.31 vs. 2.66 h, p = 0.03. However, the time from the beginning of symptoms till ER, operation time and the length of stay at the hospital, as well as the overall time until operation did not differ and did not result in an increase of complicated appendicitis cases or postoperative complications. Conclusions: The COVID-19-implemented quarantine led to an increase of the time from the emergency room to the operating room by 4 h. This delay did not result in a higher rate of complicated appendicitis and complication rates, allowing for surgery to be postponed to daytime hours if needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idilė Vansevičienė
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Str. 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.M.); (A.L.-U.); (M.B.); (E.Č.); (V.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +370-6260-4046
| | - Danielė Bučinskaitė
- Department of Surgery, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Str. 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Dalius Malcius
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Str. 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.M.); (A.L.-U.); (M.B.); (E.Č.); (V.B.)
| | - Aušra Lukošiūtė-Urbonienė
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Str. 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.M.); (A.L.-U.); (M.B.); (E.Č.); (V.B.)
| | - Mindaugas Beržanskis
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Str. 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.M.); (A.L.-U.); (M.B.); (E.Č.); (V.B.)
| | - Emilis Čekanauskas
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Str. 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.M.); (A.L.-U.); (M.B.); (E.Č.); (V.B.)
| | - Vidmantas Barauskas
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Str. 2, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.M.); (A.L.-U.); (M.B.); (E.Č.); (V.B.)
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Köhler F, Müller S, Hendricks A, Kastner C, Reese L, Boerner K, Flemming S, Lock JF, Germer CT, Wiegering A. Changes in appendicitis treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Surg 2021; 95:106148. [PMID: 34700020 PMCID: PMC8539829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2021.106148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 a decrease of emergency consultations and modification in treatment of numerous medical conditions were observed. Aim of this paper was to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence, treatment strategies, severity, length of hospital stay and time of presentation in adults and children with acute appendicitis. METHODS A systematic literature search of Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed, and eligible studies used to perform a meta-analysis. RESULTS 46 suitable studies were identified with an overall reduction of appendicitis cases by 20.9% in adults and an increase of 13.4% in children. The rate of open appendectomies increased without statistical significance in both groups (adults: 8.5% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.32; children: 7.1% vs. 5.3%, P = 0.13), whereas the rate of antibiotic treatment increased significantly (P = 0.007; P = 0.03). Higher rates of complicated appendicitis were observed in adults (adults: OR 2.00, P < 0.0001; children: OR 1.64, P = 0.12). Time to first consultation did not change significantly (adults: 52.3 vs. 38.5 h - P = 0.057; children: 51.5 vs. 32.0 h - P = 0.062) and length of stay was also not lengthened during the pandemic (adults: 2.9 vs. 2.7 days, P = 0.057; children: 4.2 vs. 3.7 days, P = 0.062). CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 had major impact on incidence and treatment strategies of acute appendicitis. Results of this meta-analysis might be another hint to support the theory that appendicitis is not a progressive disease and surgeons can safely consider antibiotic therapy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Köhler
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Sophie Müller
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Anne Hendricks
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Kastner
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Lena Reese
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Kevin Boerner
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Sven Flemming
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Johan F. Lock
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph-Thomas Germer
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Wuerzburg Medical Centre, Josef-Schneiderstr. 2, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Armin Wiegering
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Wuerzburg, Germany,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Wuerzburg Medical Centre, Josef-Schneiderstr. 2, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany,Corresponding author. partment of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery University Hospital Wuerzburg Oberduerrbacherstr. 6 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany
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Saalabian K, Rolle U, Friedmacher F. Impact of the Global COVID-19 Pandemic on the Incidence, Presentation, and Management of Pediatric Appendicitis: Lessons Learned from the First Wave. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2021; 31:311-318. [PMID: 34161983 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1731295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The fast-evolving nature of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unprecedented clinical, logistical, and socioeconomical challenges for health-care systems worldwide. While several studies have analyzed the impact on the presentation and management of acute appendicitis (AA) in the adult population, there is a relative paucity of similar research in pediatric patients with AA. To date, there is some evidence that the incidence of simple AA in children may have decreased during the first lockdown period in spring 2020, whereas the number of complicated AA cases remained unchanged or increased slightly. Despite a worrying trend toward delayed presentation, most pediatric patients with AA were treated expediently during this time with comparable outcomes to previous years. Hospitals must consider their individual capacity and medical resources when choosing between operative and non-operative management of children with AA. Testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 is imperative in all pediatric patients presenting with fever and acute abdominal pain with diarrhea or vomiting, to differentiate between multisystem inflammatory syndrome and AA, thus avoiding unnecessary surgery. During the further extension of the COVID-19 crisis, parents should be encouraged to seek medical care with their children early in order that the appropriate treatment for AA can be undertaken in a timely fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Saalabian
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt (Main), Germany
| | - Udo Rolle
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt (Main), Germany
| | - Florian Friedmacher
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt (Main), Germany
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Farooq MAA, Kabir SMH, Chowdhury TK, Sadia A, Alam MA, Farhad T. Changes in children's surgical services during the COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary-level government hospital in a lower middle-income country. BMJ Paediatr Open 2021; 5:e001066. [PMID: 34192202 PMCID: PMC8015790 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to quantify the changes that occurred in the surgical services of children during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of a low/middle-income country. Design A case-control study was conducted at a large referral centre in Bangladesh among patients aged ≤12 years. Comparisons were made between cases admitted during a period of 'April to September 2020' (Pandemic period) and controls during a similar period in 2019 (Reference period). The number of admissions and outpatient department (OPD) attendances, age and sex distribution, diagnosis, number and types of surgeries performed (elective vs emergency), variations in treatment of acute appendicitis, types of anaesthesia and mortality were compared. Results Admissions were only 41% of previous year (635 vs 1549), and OPD attendances were only 28% of previous year (603 vs 2152). Admission of children reduced by 65.8%, but neonatal admission reduced only by 7.6%. The median age of the admitted patients was significantly lower during the pandemic period (3 vs 4 years, p<0.01). Acute appendicitis (151, 9.8%) and trauma (61, 9.6%), respectively, were the the most common causes of admission during the reference and the pandemic period. Elective surgeries were only 17% and emergency surgeries were 64% of previous year (p<0.01). Appendectomy (88, 9.1%) and laparotomy (77, 17.6%), respectively, were the most common surgeries performed during the reference and the pandemic period. Conservative treatment of acute appendicitis was more during the pandemic period (47.5% vs 28.5%, p=0.01), but patients who underwent appendectomies had more complicated appendicitis (63.3% vs 42.1%, p=0.01). In all, 90.4% of surgeries were performed by resident doctors. There were no COVID-19- related deaths. Conclusion Trauma became the most common cause of admission during the pandemic, and neonatal surgical conditions remained almost unchanged with high mortality rates. Elective procedures and laparoscopy remained low and resident doctors played a major role in providing surgical services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S M Humayun Kabir
- Director, Chattogram Medical College Hospital, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | | | - Ayesha Sadia
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Afruzul Alam
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Tanzil Farhad
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, Bangladesh
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Horst KK, Kolbe AB, McDonald JS, Froemming AT, Parvinian A, Klinkner DB, Binkovitz LA. Imaging pediatric acute appendicitis during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: collateral damage is variable. Pediatr Radiol 2021; 51:1991-1999. [PMID: 34402958 PMCID: PMC8367768 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-021-05128-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a worldwide pandemic in March 2020, many authors have noted the collateral damage on non-COVID-19-related illnesses. These indirect effects of the pandemic have resulted in people presenting later and with more severe stages of disease, even if their diagnoses are not directly related to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. OBJECTIVE We studied these indirect effects of COVID-19 on the imaging workup and outcomes for pediatric patients at our center who had acute appendicitis during the pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective review of cases in children ≤18 years who were evaluated for acute appendicitis during the same period, March 1 to May 31, in both 2019 and 2020. We compared demographic and clinical data as well as surgical and pathological findings, and we graded imaging findings according to severity. Differences in patient outcomes were assessed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and the Pearson chi-square test. RESULTS The total number of pediatric patients evaluated with imaging for acute appendicitis dropped by 43% between 2019 and 2020 (298 vs. 169), but the total number of children treated remained similar (59 vs. 51). There was proportionate use of US and CT in each timeframe but a higher percentage of positive imaging findings in 2020 (50/169, 29.6% vs. 56/298, 18.7% in 2019, P=0.04). There were more imaging examinations with features of complicated appendicitis among positive cases (9/51, 18% vs. 5/59, 8% in 2019, P=0.08) and more pathologically proven perforated cases during the pandemic (14/51, 27% vs. 6/59, 10% in 2019, P=0.11), although these results did not reach statistical significance. There were no changes in surgical management, vital signs, laboratory values, length of stay or complication rates. CONCLUSION There was a large drop in the number of pediatric patients imaged for acute appendicitis during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic despite similar numbers of patients treated. The utilization trends of US vs. CT remained stable between time periods. The differences in imaging findings and perforation rates were less pronounced compared to other published studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly K. Horst
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Amy B. Kolbe
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Jennifer S. McDonald
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Adam T. Froemming
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Ahmad Parvinian
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
| | - Denise B. Klinkner
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN USA
| | - Larry A. Binkovitz
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905 USA
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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