Suspected appendicitis and COVID-19, a change in investigation and management-a multicentre cohort study.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has reformed global healthcare delivery. On 25 March 2020, Intercollegiate guidelines were published in the UK to promote safe surgical provision during the COVID-19 outbreak advocating non-operative management or avoidance of laparoscopy when surgery is essential. The effects of this on the investigation and management of appendicitis remain unknown. METHODS: We performed a multicentre, prospective, observational study from the start of the new guidelines to the 6th of May 2020. We included all patients referred to surgical teams with suspected appendicitis. A recent historical cohort was identified for comparison. The primary outcome was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of non-operative management in appendicitis. Secondary outcomes included imaging, negative appendicectomy rate (NAR), length of stay (LOS) and 30-day complications. RESULTS: A total of 63/164 (38%) patients compared to 79/191 (41%) were diagnosed with appendicitis before and after the guidelines were introduced (p = 0.589). CT scanning increased (71/164 vs 105/191; p = 0.033) while ultrasound scanning decreased (71/164 vs 62/191; p = 0.037). Appendicitis was more likely to be managed non-operatively (11/63 vs 51/79; p < 0.001) and, of those managed surgically, with an open approach (3/52 vs 26/28 p < 0.001). The NAR also reduced (5/52 vs 0/28; p = 0.157). LOS was shorter in non-operatively managed patients (1 day vs 3 days; p < 0.001) without a difference in complications (10/51 vs 4/28; p = 0.760). CONCLUSION: Introduction of the guidelines was associated with changes in practice. Despite these changes, short-term complications did not increase and LOS decreased. Questions remain on the longer-term complication rates in non-operatively managed patients.

Comparison of apically extruded debris after root canal instrumentation using Reciproc(®) instruments with various kinematics.

AIM: To assess the amount of apically extruded debris using Reciproc(®) instruments with different kinematics (150° counter clockwise [CCW]-30° clockwise [CW], 270° CCW-30° CW, 360° CCW-30° CW and continuous rotation). METHODOLOGY: Forty-eight maxillary central incisors were selected and assigned to four root canal shaping groups as follows (n = 12): 150° CCW-30° CW, 270° CCW-30° CW, 360° CCW-30° CW and continuous rotation. Reciproc R25 and R50(®) instruments were used in all groups. Apically extruded debris was collected and dried in preweighed Eppendorf tubes. The weight of extruded debris was assessed with an electronic balance. The data were analysed with one way analysis of variance and LSD post hoc tests (P = 0.05). RESULTS: The 150° CCW-30° CW and 270° CCW-30° CW reciprocating motions extruded significantly less debris than continuous rotation (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found between the 360° CCW and 30° CW reciprocating motion and the continuous rotation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: All instrument movements were associated with apically extruded debris. However, the 150° CCW-30° CW and 270° CCW-30° CW reciprocating motions were associated with less extrusion than continuous rotation.