Management of Acute Appendicitis during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Tertiary Center Experience

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Public Health
• Surgical Sciences

Background:

• The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted global healthcare systems and patient care.
• Understanding its effect on common surgical emergencies like acute appendicitis is crucial for healthcare planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the presentation and management of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To compare patient demographics, clinical features, diagnostic workup, and treatment outcomes before and during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study analyzed patients with acute appendicitis presenting to a tertiary care emergency department.
• Data collected included patient demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, surgical interventions, and postoperative outcomes.
• Comparisons were made between the pandemic period (March-April 2020) and the same period in the prior year.

Main Results:

• A higher number of acute appendicitis cases presented during the pandemic (74 vs. 60).
• Patients during COVID-19 were more likely to report right lower quadrant pain (100% vs. 78.3%).
• Surgical treatment rates were similar, but operative times were longer during the pandemic. Postoperative antibiotic use increased, yet length of stay and readmission rates were comparable.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly alter the clinical presentation of acute appendicitis.
• Management strategies and patient outcomes for acute appendicitis remained largely unaffected by the pandemic.
• Tertiary healthcare centers demonstrated resilience in managing acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 outbreak.