Your browser doesn't support javascript.
The Course and Surgical Treatment of Acute Appendicitis during the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Analysis in University Affiliated Hospital in Latvia.
Lescinska, Anna Marija; Sondore, Elza; Ptasnuka, Margarita; Mukans, Maksims; Plaudis, Haralds.
  • Lescinska AM; Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia.
  • Sondore E; Faculty of Medicine, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia.
  • Ptasnuka M; Department of General and Emergency Surgery, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, LV-1038 Riga, Latvia.
  • Mukans M; Faculty of Medicine, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia.
  • Plaudis H; Department of General and Emergency Surgery, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, LV-1038 Riga, Latvia.
Medicina (Kaunas) ; 59(2)2023 Feb 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2225457
ABSTRACT
Background and

Objectives:

Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency requiring surgery and it has an estimated lifetime risk of 6.7 to 8.6%. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed medical care worldwide, influencing diagnostic tactics, treatment modalities and outcomes. Our study aims to compare and analyze management of acute appendicitis before and during the first and second waves of the pandemic. Materials and

Methods:

Patients suffering acute appendicitis were enrolled retrospectively in a single-center study for a 10-month period before the pandemic (pre-COVID-19 period 1 March to 31 December 2019) and during the pandemic (COVID-19 period 1 March to 31 December 2020). The total number of patients, disease severity, diagnostic methods, complications, length of hospitalization and outcomes were analyzed.

Results:

A total number of 863 patients were included, 454 patients in the pre-COVID-19 period and 409 patients in the COVID-19 period. Compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, the number of complicated appendicitis increased in the COVID-19 period (24.4% to 37.2%; p < 0.001). The proportion of laparoscopic appendectomies increased during the COVID-19 period but did not show statistically significant differences between periods. In both time periods, we found that open technique was the chosen surgical approach more frequently in elderly patients (p < 0.001). Generalized peritonitis was significantly more common during the COVID-19 period (3.5% vs. 6.1%, p < 0.001). The postoperative course of patients was similar in the pre-COVID-19 period and during the COVID-19 period, with no significant differences in ICU admissions, overall hospital stay or morbidity.

Conclusions:

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in complicated forms of acute appendicitis; however, no significant impact was observed in terms of diagnostic or treatment approach.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Appendicitis / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid Limits: Aged / Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Medicina59020295

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Appendicitis / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid Limits: Aged / Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Medicina59020295