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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Appendicitis | Research

Management of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study

Authors: D. Frankcombe, N. Gauri, V. Satchithanandha, Y. Liang, S. Bak, T. Suri, D. Loxley, N. Merrett, D. Kaushal

Published in: BMC Surgery | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic profoundly impacted delivery of health care. South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) experienced some of the highest cases, admissions and deaths during the Delta and Omicron waves in New South Wales. This study aims to determine the impact of the pandemic on emergency surgery services for adults presenting with acute appendicitis.

Methods

A retrospective review of patient records was performed of adults presenting with acute appendicitis between 1st March 2021 and 31st March 2022, which was compared to a pre-COVID control period of the same dates in 2019–2020. Patients managed operatively or conservatively were included.

Results

1556 patients were included in the operative arm; 723 and 833 respectively in the study and control groups, which were comparable at baseline. 1.66% were COVID positive. During the pandemic, patients were significantly more likely to be investigated with computered tomography (CT) scan (p ≤ 0.001), present with complicated appendicitis (p = 0.03), and require caecectomy (p = 0.005). They had higher American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) scores (p = 0.001) and significantly lower negative appendectomy rates (p = 0.001). Fifty-two patients were included in the conservative arm; 29 and 23 respectively in the pandemic and control groups. Patients were comparable at baseline. There were two COVID positive patients. During the pandemic, there was a significant reduction in complications (p = 0.033), readmissions (0.044) and interval appendicectomy (p = 0.0044).

Conclusion

We identified higher rates of complicated appendicitis, caecectomies and greater reliance on CT imaging preoperatively during the pandemic in SWSLHD.

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Title: Management of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: D. Frankcombe
N. Gauri
V. Satchithanandha
Y. Liang
S. Bak
T. Suri
D. Loxley
N. Merrett
D. Kaushal
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Appendicitis
Appendicitis
COVID-19
Published in: BMC Surgery / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2482
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-022-01851-1

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Springer Medicine

Management of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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