One-year follow-up of conservative management of appendicitis: results from a single centre during extended lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Conservative management with antibiotics was recommended by the UK Surgical Royal Colleges early in the COVID-19 pandemic as the first-line treatment for acute uncomplicated appendicitis. METHODS: This is a prospective single-centre cohort study of patients aged 16 years or over, diagnosed clinically and confirmed radiologically with acute appendicitis in a secondary care setting who were initially treated conservatively with antibiotics. The primary outcome was the response to conservative management with antibiotics. Secondary outcomes were antibiotic duration; operative rates; surgical approach (open, laparoscopic or conversion to open); complication rates; COVID-19 positive rate; rates of readmission within 12 months; and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients were included in the study, 67 of whom were male. Median age was 37 (range 17-93) years. A further 28 patients were excluded because of a decision to manage operatively on the index admission or because of other diagnoses. Thirty-three patients (30.3%) had surgery on the index admission after failed conservative management and 15 (13.8%) had surgery on readmission. On histology, 32/48 patients (66.7%) had a diagnosis of complicated appendicitis and 18/48 (37.5%) had a confirmed appendicolith. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high readmission rate (47/109; 43.1%) for surgery, a radiological drain or conservative management within the first year following initial conservative management. There is a significant risk of recurrence of symptoms, particularly in the presence of an appendicolith. Laparoscopic appendicectomy should be the first-line treatment, with conservative management reserved for patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis who are COVID-19 positive or have comorbidities.