The impact of COVID-19 on emergency surgical presentations in a university teaching hospital

The Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a 50-70% reduction in acute non-COVID-19 presentations to emergency departments globally.

To determine the impact of COVID-19 on incidence, severity, and outcomes of acute surgical admissions in an Irish University teaching hospital.

Descriptive data concerning patients presenting with acute appendicitis, diverticulitis, and cholecystitis were analysed and compared from March-May 2020 to March-May 2019.

Acute surgical admissions decreased in March from 191 (2020) to 55 (2019) (55%), before increasing by 28% in April (2019: 119, 2020: 153). Admissions due to acute cholecystitis reduced by 33% (2019: 33, 2020: 22), with increased severity at presentation (P = 0.079) and higher 30-day readmission rates (P = 0.056) reported. Acute appendicitis presentations decreased by 44% (2019: 78, 2020: 43, P = 0.019), with an increase in severity (P < 0.001), conservative management (P < 0.001), and post-operative complications (P = 0.029) in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

COVID-19 has potentiated a significant reduction in acute surgical presentations to our hospital. Patients presenting with acute appendicitis during the pandemic had more severe disease, were more likely to have complications, and were significantly more likely to be managed conservatively when compared to historical data.