Complicated Severe Appendicitis in a 58-Year-Old Female After COVID-19 Infection: A Coincidence or an Association?

ABSTRACT

Acute appendicitis (AA) remains the most common cause of acute abdomen worldwide. Although overall mortality in developed countries is low, complication due to perforation, abscess formation, stump appendicitis and intra-abdominal sepsis is associated with increased morbidity. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing proportion of complicated appendicitis has been reported. In this case, we present a 58-year-old female with a remote history of COVID-19 infection and severe appendicitis, complicated by sepsis. Viral infection has previously been proposed as a cause of appendicitis. Our report aims to describe our patient’s course and comment on a potential association with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, as well as future diagnostic and management considerations.