The effect of the COVID pandemic on operative experience of laparoscopic appendicectomy

ABSTRACT

Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many changes in The delivery of surgical services;perhaps The greatest of these, for The long-term sustainability of Surgery at least, is that on training. This study aimed to describe The effect of these changes on operative experience of laparoscopic appendicectomy Methods: All patients who had Surgery for suspected appendicitis from 2016 to 2021 were identified from a prospectively maintained database of surgeries. Data for 2020 and 2021 were compared with preceding years. Result(s) Conclusion(s) In 2020, there were fewer operations performed for appendicitis and markedly reduced opportunities for trainees. This may reflect a fall in acute admissions, greater reliance on pre-operative imaging and reployment of surgical juniors. With a focus on returning to 'normal' in 2021 and a commitment to preserving surgical services, training opportunities have returned for laparoscopic appendicectomy despite The impact of COVID.