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World Journal of Surgery

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01-01-2021 | Appendicitis | Original Scientific Report

Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Cause a Delay in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis?

Authors: Sevim Turanli, Gamze Kiziltan

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Appendectomy for acute appendicitis remains one of the most common surgical procedures. This study aims to assess the clinical presentation and delays in diagnosing acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We evaluated data of all adult patients who underwent an appendectomy at our hospital between June 1, 2019 and June 1, 2020. Demographic data, admission type to the emergency room, radiological findings, pathological findings, and hospitalization time were noted. Patients were divided into four groups of 3-month periods, pre (Groups 5, 4, 3, 2) and during the pandemic (Group 1). Hospitalization time and perforation status of each group were compared. The hospital admission type and their effect on perforation were also evaluated.

Results

Two hundred and fourteen patients were included; 135 patients were male, and 57 were female. The median age was 39 years. In Group 1 (pandemic period), 28.8% of patients were referred to us from pandemic hospitals. The median hospitalization time was 7.3 h before pandemics (Group 2–5), 5 h in the pandemic period (Group 1). Perforation rates were 27.8% in Group 1, 23.3% in Group 2, 16.3% in Group 3, 14.0% in Group 4, and 18.6% in Group 5 (0 = 0.58). There was no difference in the patients in Group 1 in the rate of perforated appendicitis in patients who were referred from other pandemic hospitals (29.4) and those admitted via our own emergency room (16.6%) (p = 0.27) during the pandemic period.

Conclusion

We did not observe any clear increase in the diagnosis of perforated appendicitis during the pandemic period, even in patients who were transferred from other hospitals.

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Title: Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Cause a Delay in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis?
Authors: Sevim Turanli
Gamze Kiziltan
Publication date: 01-01-2021
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Appendicitis
Appendicitis
COVID-19
Appendectomy
Published in: World Journal of Surgery / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-020-05825-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Cause a Delay in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis?

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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