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Doleman B, Fonnes S, Lund JN, Boyd-Carson H, Javanmard-Emamghissi H, Moug S, Hollyman M, Tierney G, Tou S, Williams JP. Appendectomy versus antibiotic treatment for acute appendicitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 4:CD015038. [PMID: 38682788 PMCID: PMC11057219 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015038.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is one of the most common emergency general surgical conditions worldwide. Uncomplicated/simple appendicitis can be treated with appendectomy or antibiotics. Some studies have suggested possible benefits with antibiotics with reduced complications, length of hospital stay, and the number of days off work. However, surgery may improve success of treatment as antibiotic treatment is associated with recurrence and future need for surgery. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated/simple acute appendicitis compared with appendectomy for resolution of symptoms and complications. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and two trial registers (World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov) on 19 July 2022. We also searched for unpublished studies in conference proceedings together with reference checking and citation search. There were no restrictions on date, publication status, or language of publication. SELECTION CRITERIA We included parallel-group randomised controlled trials (RCTs) only. We included studies where most participants were adults with uncomplicated/simple appendicitis. Interventions included antibiotics (by any route) compared with appendectomy (open or laparoscopic). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodology expected by Cochrane. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome. Primary outcomes included mortality and success of treatment, and secondary outcomes included number of participants requiring appendectomy in the antibiotic group, complications, pain, length of hospital stay, sick leave, malignancy in the antibiotic group, negative appendectomy rate, and quality of life. Success of treatment definitions were heterogeneous although mainly based on resolution of symptoms rather than incorporation of long-term recurrence or need for surgery in the antibiotic group. MAIN RESULTS We included 13 studies in the review covering 1675 participants randomised to antibiotics and 1683 participants randomised to appendectomy. One study was unpublished. All were conducted in secondary care and two studies received pharmaceutical funding. All studies used broad-spectrum antibiotic regimens expected to cover gastrointestinal bacteria. Most studies used predominantly laparoscopic surgery, but some included mainly open procedures. Six studies included adults and children. Almost all studies aimed to exclude participants with complicated appendicitis prior to randomisation, although one study included 12% with perforation. The diagnostic technique was clinical assessment and imaging in most studies. Only one study limited inclusion by sex (male only). Follow-up ranged from hospital admission only to seven years. Certainty of evidence was mainly affected by risk of bias (due to lack of blinding and loss to follow-up) and imprecision. Primary outcomes It is uncertain whether there was any difference in mortality due to the very low-certainty evidence (Peto odds ratio (OR) 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05 to 4.95; 1 study, 492 participants). There may be 76 more people per 1000 having unsuccessful treatment in the antibiotic group compared with surgery, which did not reach our predefined level for clinical significance (risk ratio (RR) 0.91, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.96; I2 = 69%; 7 studies, 2471 participants; low-certainty evidence). Secondary outcomes At one year, 30.7% (95% CI 24.0 to 37.8; I2 = 80%; 9 studies, 1396 participants) of participants in the antibiotic group required appendectomy or, alternatively, more than two-thirds of antibiotic-treated participants avoided surgery in the first year, but the evidence is very uncertain. Regarding complications, it is uncertain whether there is any difference in episodes of Clostridium difficile diarrhoea due to very low-certainty evidence (Peto OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.24 to 3.89; 1 study, 1332 participants). There may be a clinically significant reduction in wound infections with antibiotics (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.68; I2 = 16%; 9 studies, 2606 participants; low-certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether antibiotics affect the incidence of intra-abdominal abscess or collection (RR 1.58, 95% CI 0.61 to 4.07; I2 = 19%; 6 studies, 1831 participants), or reoperation (Peto OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.01 to 2.16; 1 study, 492 participants) due to very low-certainty evidence, mainly due to rare events causing imprecision and risk of bias. It is uncertain if antibiotics prolonged length of hospital stay by half a day due to the very low-certainty evidence (MD 0.54, 95% CI 0.06 to 1.01; I2 = 97%; 11 studies, 3192 participants). The incidence of malignancy was 0.3% (95% CI 0 to 1.5; 5 studies, 403 participants) in the antibiotic group although follow-up was variable. Antibiotics probably increased the number of negative appendectomies at surgery (RR 3.16, 95% CI 1.54 to 6.49; I2 = 17%; 5 studies, 707 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Antibiotics may be associated with higher rates of unsuccessful treatment for 76 per 1000 people, although differences may not be clinically significant. It is uncertain if antibiotics increase length of hospital stay by half a day. Antibiotics may reduce wound infections. A third of the participants initially treated with antibiotics required subsequent appendectomy or two-thirds avoided surgery within one year, but the evidence is very uncertain. There were too few data from the included studies to comment on major complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Doleman
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia, Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Derby, UK
| | - Siv Fonnes
- Center for Perioperative Optimization, Department of Surgery, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Jon N Lund
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Derby, UK
| | - Hannah Boyd-Carson
- Department of Surgery, Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Derby, UK
| | | | - Susan Moug
- Department of Surgery, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, UK
| | - Marianne Hollyman
- Department of General Surgery, Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Taunton, UK
| | | | - Samson Tou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK
| | - John P Williams
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia, Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Derby, UK
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Taib AG, Kler A, Prayle M, Kanakalingam D, Fani M, Asaad P. Appendicolith appendicitis: should we be operating sooner? A retrospective cohort study. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2024; 106:237-244. [PMID: 37609681 PMCID: PMC10904264 DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2023.0055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Evidence suggests that delaying an appendicectomy for up to 24 hours does not increase the risk of complicated appendicitis. Appendicoliths are a risk factor for perforation. No study has explored the temporal relationship between appendicolith presence and time to perforation. In this retrospective cohort study, we hypothesise that the presence of an appendicolith confirmed on preoperative computerised tomography scan (pCT) leads to a shorter time to complicated appendicitis. METHODS We undertook a retrospective single-centre study of patients admitted between 2018 and 2020. Inclusion criteria included: age ≥18 years, appendicitis confirmed on histopathology following an operation and a pCT scan. Complicated appendicitis was defined intraoperatively as an appendicular abscess, gangrenous or perforated appendix. RESULTS Some 310 patients were included in the study. Forty-five per cent presented with complicated appendicitis (n = 138). Appendicoliths were present in 79 (25.5%) patients. Multivariate logistic regression identified an appendicolith as a significant risk factor for perforation (odds ratio 3.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-10.59; p = 0.027). Within the first 12 hours of admission, patients with an appendicolith accounted for a significantly greater proportion of those with complicated appendicitis intraoperatively compared with those without (56.7% vs 43.3%, respectively; p = 0.003). Within 12 hours of admission, those with an appendicolith were 2.05 times more likely to suffer from complicated appendicitis than those without (95% CI 1.28-3.29). CONCLUSIONS Patients with an appendicolith appendicitis should be considered for an early appendicectomy. Future large-scale multicentre prospective studies are required to explore this further, perhaps informing future guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - M Prayle
- Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - D Kanakalingam
- Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - M Fani
- Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - P Asaad
- Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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Ghosh P, Kurian AT, Velmurugan D, Tharumaraj M. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on surgical residency: Residents' perception. JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION 2023; 12:398. [PMID: 38333163 PMCID: PMC10852176 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_252_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND World Health Organization declared COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and till the month of March 2023, globally, there have been 761,402,282 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6887,000 deaths. In India, almost 44,707,525 cases been recorded till date. Here, almost 30,000,000 cases been recorded after the second wave. The working force fighting this pandemic is majority formed by resident doctors all over the country and globally. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted among 110 residents pursuing postgraduation in surgery and allied departments in various training institutions in Tamil Nadu for a duration of 6 months (after the second wave). A pretested and validated questionnaire was formulated to assess the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on surgical trainee's residency program from their perspective. The questionnaire contained basic social-demographic details and general information like the details of surgical specialty they are admitted to, the overall details of changes in their surgical residency experience in the times of COVID pandemic and the changes faced by them in their day-to-day clinical, diagnostic, and surgical learning. The questionnaire also investigated the redeployment status of the surgical trainees to COVID treatment units and their perspective on the changes in their clinical research and surgical skills training. RESULTS The study participants, 66%, were aged between 25 and 30 years, followed by 30 and 35 years (25.5%). Almost 80% of the participants belong to the final year of postgraduation; 67.3% of surgical trainees strongly perceives and all 100% of them accept the fact that their surgical residency has been affected by the ongoing pandemic. Fifty percent of the trainees were redeployed to COVID duties for 8 h a day shift and rest attended a minimum of 4 h of COVID duties. More than 75% of the residents had COVID duties of 5-10 h/day and more than 90% of these redeployed trainees involved in COVID duties have expressed that they had been suffering from extra stress and more than 60% were suffering from stress grade between 5 and 10 suggestive of high-stress level. Fifty-nine percent of the postgraduates in the current study mentioned that they require extra-surgical or skill-based training after their postgraduation period. CONCLUSION The influence of COVID-19 on surgical trainees in various institutions of India has been immense due to overburdening of health systems by the large population of the country. Second wave of COVID, especially, has drastically changed the postgraduate surgical trainees' lives. Detrimental effects are not restricted to operative and clinical experience but also the mental health and well-being of them. The observations of the present study make recommendations for the future provision of training through skill-based surgical simulations so that the lost days of their trainings can be compensated and they become the confident surgeons of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puja Ghosh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bhaarath Medical College and Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Andrew Thomas Kurian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bhaarath Medical College and Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dinesh Velmurugan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bhaarath Medical College and Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Muthukumar Tharumaraj
- Department of Community Medicine, Bhaarath Medical College and Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Cizmic A, Eichel VM, Weidner NM, Wise PA, Müller F, Rompen IF, Bartenschlager R, Schnitzler P, Nickel F, Müller-Stich BP. Viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in surgical smoke in minimally invasive and open surgery: a single-center prospective clinical trial. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20299. [PMID: 37985848 PMCID: PMC10662446 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47058-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was assumed that SARS-CoV-2 could be transmitted through surgical smoke generated by electrocauterization. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was targeted due to potentially higher concentrations of the SARS-CoV-2 particles in the pneumoperitoneum. Some surgical societies even recommended open surgery instead of MIS to prevent the potential spread of SARS-CoV-2 from the pneumoperitoneum. This study aimed to detect SARS-CoV-2 in surgical smoke during open and MIS. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who underwent open surgery or MIS at Heidelberg University Hospital were included in the study. A control group of patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection undergoing MIS or open surgery was included for comparison. The trial was approved by the Ethics Committee of Heidelberg University Medical School (S-098/2021). The following samples were collected: nasopharyngeal and intraabdominal swabs, blood, urine, surgical smoke, and air samples from the operating room. An SKC BioSampler was used to sample the surgical smoke from the pneumoperitoneum during MIS and the approximate surgical field during open surgery in 15 ml of sterilized phosphate-buffered saline. An RT-PCR test was performed on all collected samples to detect SARS-CoV-2 viral particles. Twelve patients with proven SARS-CoV-2 infection underwent open abdominal surgery. Two SARS-CoV-2-positive patients underwent an MIS procedure. The control group included 24 patients: 12 underwent open surgery and 12 MIS. One intraabdominal swab in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection was positive for SARS-CoV-2. However, during both open surgery and MIS, none of the surgical smoke samples showed any detectable viral particles of SARS-CoV-2. The air samples collected at the end of the surgical procedure showed no viral particles of SARS-CoV-2. Major complications (CD ≥ IIIa) were more often observed in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients (10 vs. 4, p = 0.001). This study showed no detectable viral particles of SARS-CoV-2 in surgical smoke sampled during MIS and open surgery. Thus, the discussed risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via surgical smoke could not be confirmed in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amila Cizmic
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vanessa M Eichel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Section Infection Control University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Niklas M Weidner
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp A Wise
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Müller
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ingmar F Rompen
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul Schnitzler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Nickel
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Beat P Müller-Stich
- Department of Digestive Surgery, University Digestive Healthcare Center Basel, Kleinriehenstrasse 30, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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Malik AK, Innes AH, Reddy L, Munro C, Phillips AW. Appendicectomy remains treatment of choice for patients with acute appendicitis. BMJ 2023; 382:e074652. [PMID: 37604515 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-074652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah K Malik
- Northern Oesophago-gastric Unit, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Liver Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne
| | - Ailsa H Innes
- Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, UK
| | - Lomalan Reddy
- Saltaire and Windhill Medical Partnership, Bradford, UK
| | - Clara Munro
- Northern Oesophago-gastric Unit, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alexander W Phillips
- Northern Oesophago-gastric Unit, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- School of Medical Education, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne
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Habib Bedwani N, Smith C, Kelada M, Patten DK, Mak WK, English W, Shatkar V. Two-year outcomes of conservatively managed appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic-a multicentre cohort study. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2023; 408:307. [PMID: 37578533 DOI: 10.1007/s00423-023-03059-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE During the COVID-19 pandemic, the new RCSEng guidelines resulted in appendicitis being more commonly managed conservatively to avoid aerosol-generating procedures. This resulted in shorter hospital stays without increased short-term complications. The 2-year outcomes of this change, specifically recurrence and re-admission rates remain unknown. METHODS We conducted a multicentre, prospective, observational study including all adult patients treated as appendicitis after the implementation of the new surgical guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outcomes included initial management failure, re-admission rate, appendicitis recurrence, and interval appendicectomy. A historical cohort prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was used for comparison. Patients were followed up for 2-years post index admission. Categorical and continuous variables were compared using Fisher's exact test and Student's T or Mann-Whitney U tests as appropriate. RESULTS Sixty-three and 79 patients with appendicitis were included from four NHS trusts, before (A) and after (B) the new intercollegiate guidelines respectively. Operative management was used less frequently in cohort B (28/79 vs 52/63; p<0.001). More patients re-presented in cohort B (14/79 vs 3/63; p=0.020), but not when comparing only those managed conservatively (2/11 vs 13/52; p=1.000). A similar trend was observed for appendicitis recurrence although without statistical significance (2/63 vs 9/79; p=0.112); with loss of trend when comparing those managed conservatively-only (2/11 vs 9/52; p=1.000). Among all patients, four (2.8%) were found to have underlying neoplasia of which three were initially managed conservatively (3/63; 4.8%). CONCLUSION Conservative management of appendicitis has previously been shown to have short-term benefits in expedited hospital discharge without early complications. The present study shows it has a higher readmission and appendicitis recurrence rates. The risks of this alongside missed/delayed management of neoplasia needs to be considered alongside the benefits including avoidance of aerosol-generating general anaesthesia and laparoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic or similar future health crises. Small case numbers limit analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Habib Bedwani
- Digestive Diseases Centre, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK.
| | - C Smith
- Department of General Surgery/Colorectal Surgery, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - M Kelada
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - D K Patten
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Breast Oncoplastic and General Surgery, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - W K Mak
- Department of General Surgery/Colorectal Surgery, Royal Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, Devon, UK
| | - W English
- Applied Biomedical Engineering Group, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Cleveland Clinic London, London, UK
| | - V Shatkar
- Digestive Diseases Centre, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
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Moler-Zapata S, Hutchings A, O'Neill S, Silverwood RJ, Grieve R. Emulating Target Trials With Real-World Data to Inform Health Technology Assessment: Findings and Lessons From an Application to Emergency Surgery. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2023; 26:1164-1174. [PMID: 37164043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES International health technology assessment (HTA) agencies recommend that real-world data (RWD) are used in some circumstances to add to the evidence base about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of health interventions. The target trial framework applies the design principles of randomized-controlled trials to RWD and can help alleviate inevitable concerns about bias and design flaws with nonrandomized studies. This article aimed to tackle the lack of guidance and exemplar applications on how this methodology can be applied to RWD to inform HTA decision making. METHODS We use Hospital Episode Statistics data from England on emergency hospital admissions from 2010 to 2019 to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of emergency surgery for 2 acute gastrointestinal conditions. We draw on the case study to describe the main challenges in applying the target trial framework alongside RWD and provide recommendations for how these can be addressed in practice. RESULTS The 4 main challenges when applying the target trial framework to RWD are (1) defining the study population, (2) defining the treatment strategies, (3) establishing time zero (baseline), and (4) adjusting for unmeasured confounding. The recommendations for how to address these challenges, mainly around the incorporation of expert judgment and use of appropriate methods for handling unmeasured confounding, are illustrated within the case study. CONCLUSIONS The recommendations outlined in this study could help future studies seeking to inform HTA decision processes. These recommendations can complement checklists for economic evaluations and design tools for estimating treatment effectiveness in nonrandomized studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Moler-Zapata
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK.
| | - Andrew Hutchings
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK
| | - Stephen O'Neill
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK
| | - Richard J Silverwood
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL Social Research Institute, University College London, London, England, UK
| | - Richard Grieve
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK
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Chan A, Stathakis P, Goldsmith P, Smith S, Macutkiewicz C. The reorganisation of emergency general surgery services during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: outcomes of delayed presentation, socio-economic deprivation and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic patients. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2023; 105:S46-S53. [PMID: 35639022 PMCID: PMC10390243 DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2022.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health emergency. Lockdown restrictions and the reconfiguration of healthcare systems to accommodate an increase in critical care capacity have had an impact on 'non-COVID' specialties. This study characterises the utilisation of emergency general surgery (EGS) services during the UK lockdown period at a university teaching hospital with a catchment population that represents one of the most deprived and ethnically diverse areas in the UK. METHODS EGS admissions during the UK lockdown period (March to May 2020) were compared with the same period in 2019. Patient demographics were recorded together with clinical presentation, hospital stay and treatment outcomes, and readmission data. RESULTS The study included 645 patients, comprising 223 in the COVID-19 period and 422 in the non-COVID-19 period. There was no difference in age, sex, comorbidity or socio-economic status. A lower proportion of patients of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicity (BAME) were admitted during the pandemic (20.6% vs 35.4%, p < 0.05). The duration of symptoms prior to presentation was longer, and admission clinical parameters and serum inflammatory markers. More patients presented with an acute kidney injury (9.9% vs 4.7%, p = 0.012). There was no difference in perioperative outcomes or 30-day mortality, but more patients were readmitted following conservative management (10.6% vs 4.7%, p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS The reorganisation of EGS to a senior-led model has been successful in terms of outcomes and access to treatment despite a more unwell population. There was a significantly lower proportion of BAME admissions suggesting additional barriers to healthcare access under pandemic lockdown conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Chan
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - P Stathakis
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - P Goldsmith
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - S Smith
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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West H, Garcea G. One-year follow-up of conservative management of appendicitis: results from a single centre during extended lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2023; 105:S54-S59. [PMID: 35639081 PMCID: PMC10390236 DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2022.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- H West
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, UK
| | - G Garcea
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, UK
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Andric M, Stockheim J, Rahimli M, Klös M, Esser T, Soldatovic I, Dölling M, Al-Madhi S, Acciuffi S, Croner R, Perrakis A. Management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic. Single center data from a tertiary care hospital in Germany. Innov Surg Sci 2023; 8:39-48. [PMID: 38058775 PMCID: PMC10696938 DOI: 10.1515/iss-2022-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The unexpected global overload of the health system during COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in management of acute appendicitis worldwide. Whereas conservative treatment was widely recommended, the appendicectomy remained standard therapy in Germany. We aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on treatment routine for acute appendicitis at University Hospital of Magdeburg. Methods Adult patients with clinical and/or radiological diagnosis of acute appendicitis were included in the single center retrospective study. Data was collected to patient demographics, treatment modality and outcomes including morbidity and length of stay. The patient data related to COVID-19 period from March 22, 2020 to December 31, 2021 (649 days) were compared to the Non-COVID-19 period from June 12, 2018 to March 21, 2020 (649 days). Subgroup analysis related to conservative or surgical treatment has been performed. Results A total of 385 patients was included in the study, 203 (52.73 %) during Non-COVID-19 period and 182 (47.27 %) during COVID-19 period. Mean age of entire collective was 43.28 years, containing 43.9 % female patients (p=0.095). Conservative treatment was accomplished in 49 patients (12.7 % of entire collective), increasing from 9.9 % to 15.9 % during COVID-19 period (p=0.074). Laparoscopic appendicectomy was performed in 99.3 % (n=152) of operated patients during COVID-19 period (p=0.013), followed by less postoperative complications compared to reference period (23.5 % vs. 13.1 %, p=0.015). The initiation of antibiotic therapy after the diagnosis increased from 37.9 % to 53.3 % (p=0.002) during COVID-19 period regardless the following treatment modality. Antibiotic treatment showed shorter duration during pandemic period (5.57 days vs. 3.16 days, p<0.001) and it was given longer in the conservative treatment group (5.63 days vs. 4.26 days, p=0.02). The overall length of stay was shorter during COVID-19 period (4.67 days vs. 4.12 days, p=0.052) and in the conservative treatment group (3.08 days vs. 4.47 days, p<0.001). However, the overall morbidity was lower during the COVID-19 period than before (17.2 % vs. 7.7 %, p=0.005) and for conservative therapy compared to appendicectomy (2 % vs. 14.3 %, p=0.016). There was no mortality documented. Conclusions According to our findings the COVID-19 pandemic had a relevant impact on treatment of acute appendicitis, but it was possible to maintain the traditional diagnostic and treatment pathway. Although laparoscopic appendicectomy remains a recommended procedure, the conservative treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis with excellent short-term outcome can be a safe alternative to surgery during potential new wave of COVID-19 pandemic and in the daily routine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihailo Andric
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Stockheim
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Mirhasan Rahimli
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Michael Klös
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Torben Esser
- Institute of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ivan Soldatovic
- Institute for Medical statistics, Faculty of Medicine, University Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maximilian Dölling
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sara Al-Madhi
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sara Acciuffi
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Roland Croner
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Aristotelis Perrakis
- Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
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11
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Iantorno SE, Skarda DE, Bucher BT. Concurrent SARS-COV-19 and acute appendicitis: Management and outcomes across United States children's hospitals. Surgery 2023; 173:936-943. [PMID: 36621446 PMCID: PMC9820025 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonoperative management of acute appendicitis is a safe and effective alternative to appendectomy, though rates of treatment failure and disease recurrence are significant. The purpose of this study was to determine whether COVID-19-positive children with acute appendicitis were more likely to undergo nonoperative management when compared to COVID-19-negative peers and to compare clinical outcomes and healthcare use for these groups. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of children <18 years with acute appendicitis across 45 US Children's Hospitals during the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic was performed. Operative management was defined as appendectomy or percutaneous drain placement, whereas nonoperative management was defined as admission with antibiotics alone. Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression using an exact matched cohort was used to determine the association between COVID-19 positivity and nonoperative management. The secondary outcomes included intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, length of stay, nonoperative management failure rates, and hospital variation in nonoperative management. RESULTS Of 17,481 children in the cohort, 581 (3.3%) were positive for COVID-19. The odds of nonoperative management was significantly higher in the COVID-19-positive group (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 13.4 [10.7-16.8], P < .001). Patients positive for COVID-19 had increased odds of intensive care unit admission (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 3.78 [2.01-7.12], P < .001) and longer length of stay (median 2 days vs 1 day, P < .001). Hospital rates of nonoperative management ranged from 0% to 100% for COVID-19-positive patients and 0% to 42% for COVID-19-negative patients. CONCLUSION Children with concurrent acute appendicitis and COVID-19 positivity are significantly more likely to undergo nonoperative management. Both groups experience infrequent nonoperative management failure rates and rare intensive care unit admissions. Marked hospital variability in nonoperative management practices was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie E Iantorno
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT.
| | - David E Skarda
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Brian T Bucher
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
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12
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Afzal Z, Bukhari I, Kumar S, Deeknah A, Lei W, Mitrasinovic S, Chan O, Francis FE, Satheesan KS. Management of Acute Appendicitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single-Centre Retrospective Cohort Study. Cureus 2023; 15:e37193. [PMID: 37159762 PMCID: PMC10163560 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the management of acute appendicitis shifted towards non-operative management in the United Kingdom (UK). The open approach was recommended over the laparoscopic approach due to the risk of aerosol generation and subsequent contamination. The aim of this study was to compare the overall management and surgical outcomes of the patients treated for acute appendicitis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study at a single district general hospital in the UK. We compared the management and outcome of the patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis before the pandemic, from March to August 2019, and during the pandemic, from March to August 2020. We looked at the patient demographics, methods of diagnosis, management, and surgical outcomes for these patients. The primary outcome of the study was the 30-day readmission rate. Secondary outcomes included length of stay and post-operative complications. RESULTS Over the period of six months, a total of 179 patients were diagnosed with acute appendicitis in 2019 (Pre-COVID-19 pandemic, from March 1, 2019, to August 31, 2019) versus 152 in 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic, from March 1, 2020, to August 31, 2020). For the 2019 cohort, the mean age of the patients was 33 (range 6-86 years), 52% (n=93) were female, and the mean BMI was 26 (range 14-58). For the 2020 cohort, the mean age was 37 (range 4-93 years), 48% (n=73) of the patients were female, and the mean BMI was 27 (range 16-53). At the first presentation, in 2019, 97.2% of the patients (174 out of 179) received surgical treatment compared to 70.4% (107 out of 152) in 2020. Three per cent of the patients (n=5) were managed conservatively in 2019 (two out these failed conservative management) as compared to 29.6% (n=45) in 2020 (21 of these failed conservative management). Pre-pandemic, only 32.4% (n= 57, ultrasound (US) scan: 11, computer tomography (CT) scan): 45, both US and CT: 1) of the patients received imaging to confirm the diagnosis as compared to 53.3% during pandemic (n=81, US scan: 12, CT scan: 63, both US and CT: 6). Overall, the CT to US ratio increased. We found that during 2019, 91.5% (n=161/176) of the patients who received surgical treatment went through laparoscopic surgery as compared to only 74.2% (n=95/128) in 2020 (p<0.0001). Postoperative complications occurred in 5.1% (n=9/176) of the surgical patients in 2019 as compared to 12.5% (n=16/128) in 2020 (p<0.033). The mean length of hospital stay in 2019 was 2.9 days (range 1-11) versus 4.5 days in 2020 (range 1-57) (p<0.0001). The 30-day readmission rate was 4.5% (8/179) versus 19.1% (29/152) (p<0.0001). The 90-day mortality rate was zero for both cohorts. CONCLUSION Our study shows that the management of acute appendicitis changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More patients went through imaging, especially CT scans for diagnosis and received non-operative management with antibiotics only. The open surgical approach became more common during the pandemic. This was associated with longer lengths of hospital stay, more readmissions, and an increase in postoperative complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Afzal
- Department of Surgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS (National Health Service) Foundation Trust, Cambridge, GBR
- Department of Surgery, Peterborough City Hospital, Peterborough, GBR
| | - Ishtiyaq Bukhari
- Department of Surgery, Peterborough City Hospital, Peterborough, GBR
| | - Sumit Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Peterborough City Hospital, Peterborough, GBR
| | | | - Winnie Lei
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, GBR
- Milner Therapeutics Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, GBR
| | | | - Onton Chan
- Department of Surgery, Peterborough City Hospital, Peterborough, GBR
| | | | - Kanagasingham S Satheesan
- Department of Surgery, Peterborough City Hospital, Peterborough, GBR
- Leicester Medical School, University of Leicester, Leicester, GBR
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13
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Ali AB, Shaikh A, Maghami N, Zia M, Wolf DA, Bonville DJ. Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on volume and surgeon professional fees generated by emergency general surgery procedures. Surg Endosc 2022; 36:9297-9303. [PMID: 35296948 PMCID: PMC8926383 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-022-09168-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the dynamics of healthcare in the USA. In early 2020, most states issued orders to stop non-emergent elective surgeries. This contracted the overall revenue generated by the hospital systems. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on volume has not been well studied but effects on surgeon professional fees generated remains unexplored. The goal of this study was to assess if COVID-19 pandemic has affected surgeon professional fees and revenues generated from emergency general surgeries. METHODS This is a retrospective review to compare surgical case volume in 2019 and 2020. We obtained our data from a tertiary care referral center database. Data were collected from February to April of 2019 and 2020, corresponding to the duration of statewide ban on non-emergent surgical cases. We used the most reported current procedural terminology (CPT) Code for each surgical procedure to calculate the surgeon professional fees generated. We calculated the percentage difference in surgeon professional fees between 2019 and 2020 for comparison. RESULTS There was a statistically significant decrease in daily emergent operations between 2019 and 2020 time periods (6.13/day vs 4.64/day). There was a statistically significant decrease in hospital admissions for appendicitis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis, skin and soft tissue infections, small bowel obstruction and GI bleed. Additionally, a statistically significant decrease in number of appendectomy, cholecystectomy, sigmoid colectomy with anastomosis, small bowel resection, operation for incarcerated and reducible hernia procedures was observed. There is a decline in surgeon professional fees generated in 2020 compared to 2019 for all emergent surgeries. When compared to 2019, we observed an increase of 238 more inquests in February to April of 2020, which is the same time period when we noticed a significant decrease in hospital admissions and procedures for emergency general surgery. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted surgical case volumes in 2020 compared to 2019. This includes both emergent and non-emergent cases. There is a need for more broad cost analysis which considers hospital expenditures and cost benefit analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman B Ali
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Wang 460E, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Asad Shaikh
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nima Maghami
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mahnoor Zia
- Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dwayne A Wolf
- Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Daniel J Bonville
- Department of Surgery, University of Houston, HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood, 22999 US-59 N, Suite 252, Kingwood, TX, 77339, USA.
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14
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Saleem N, Seerat MI, Hussain MI, Javed I, Muhammad Ali S. The Efficacy of Conservative Management in Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis - A Single-Center Retrospective Study. Cureus 2022; 14:e32606. [PMID: 36654610 PMCID: PMC9840891 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute appendicitis remains the most common cause of lower abdominal pain leading to emergency visits. Even though the standard treatment of acute appendicitis remains appendectomy, in recent times, multiple randomized control trials and meta-analyses have deduced conservative treatment as a successful alternative treatment. During the coronavirus disease (COVID) pandemic, with a shortage of staff and resources, treatment with conservative management of uncomplicated acute appendicitis became very beneficial under certain circumstances and conditions. This study aimed to assess whether it is effective to manage patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis with antibiotic therapy. Methodology This was a single hospital based retrospective, cross-sectional study from Jan 2015 to May 2020. Patients with clinical and radiological features of uncomplicated acute appendicitis with Alvarado's score >6 were included in the study. Patients were kept on antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and analgesia as part of a conservative regime. Those who failed to respond to conservative therapy were managed surgically. The follow-up period was six months. Results One hundred eighty-two cases of uncomplicated acute appendicitis were included and managed conservatively, of which 52.2% were males while 47.8% were females. The median age of the patients was 26 years. Conservative treatment was successful in 26.2% of the patients, with a recurrence of 5.5% in the six-month follow-up period. The mean number of days of hospital stay was three days in patients treated with conservative or surgical treatment. Conclusion Conservative management is gaining popularity, and many centers are inclined towards non-operative management; however, appendectomy remains the gold standard treatment for appendicitis.
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15
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Achavanuntakul C, Mahawongkajit P, Orrapin S, Auksornchat K, Boonyasatid P, Waewsri N, Moriguchi A, Kanlerd A. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Incidence, Severity, and Management of Acute Appendicitis: A Single Center Experience in Thailand. Emerg Med Int 2022; 2022:8324716. [PMID: 36467864 PMCID: PMC9715343 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8324716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE For more than two years since the COVID-19 pandemic, human lives have changed, including the healthcare system. Management of acute appendicitis, the most common emergency surgical disease, has been inevitably affected. This study aimed to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incident rate of complicated appendicitis, management, outcome, and complication of acute appendicitis. Patients and Methods. This study was a retrospective cohort study comparing 574 patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis before the COVID-19 outbreak and 434 patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 outbreak. Patient demographic data, type of appendicitis, type of treatment, time to surgery, length of stay, cost, and complications were collected and analyzed. RESULTS During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis was reduced. CT scan usage for diagnosis was increased compared to pre-COVID-19. Most patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis received operative treatment in both groups. Median time to surgery was significantly longer during the COVID-19 pandemic, 11.93 hours compared to 9.62 hours pre-COVID-19, p-value <0.001 (relative risk 1.5, 95% CI 1.29-1.76, p value 0.041). The incidence of complicated appendicitis was not higher during COVID-19. Compared to pre-COVID-19, ICU admission rate, the use of a mechanical ventilator, length of stay, and cost increased in the univariate analysis but were not statistically significant in the multivariate analyses. Other treatment complications had no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION The incidence of complicated appendicitis did not increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. The operation waiting time significantly increased but did not increase the rate of treatment complications in a well-prepared hospital system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chompoonut Achavanuntakul
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Prasit Mahawongkajit
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Saritphat Orrapin
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Karikarn Auksornchat
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Piyapong Boonyasatid
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Nichakarn Waewsri
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Alisa Moriguchi
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Amonpon Kanlerd
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand
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16
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Banks J, Shuttleworth P, Day N, Guy R. Small bowel obstruction caused by a fibrotic bow-string appendix: a consequence of non-operative management of acute appendicitis. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2022; 104:e249-e251. [PMID: 35638901 PMCID: PMC9685988 DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2022.0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A 73-year-old woman presented with small bowel obstruction that failed to settle with conservative management. Over the previous 2 years she had presented twice with computed tomography scan-proven acute appendicitis with localised perforation of the appendix tip. In view of medical comorbidities, she was treated non-operatively with clinical and radiological resolution on each occasion, but on the third presentation laparoscopy was undertaken for non-resolving small bowel obstruction and the non-inflamed appendix itself was identified as a fibrous band causing compression of the distal ileum and complete small bowel obstruction. Following division and appendicectomy, the patient made an uneventful recovery. This case illustrates the potential consequence of repeated appendiceal inflammation and non-operative management and may be seen increasingly as this approach is widely adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Banks
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - P Shuttleworth
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - N Day
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - R Guy
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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17
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Cai X, Bi J, Zheng Z, Liu Y. Decision-making changes for patients and medical personnel in the management of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:170. [PMID: 36280806 PMCID: PMC9590391 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00727-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen. During the pandemic, to contain the spread of COVID-19, there were some integral changes in the medical processes based on the pandemic prevention policy, especially regarding emergency surgery. This study was conducted to investigate whether this pandemic also impacted the decision-making for both patients and medical personnel along with the treatment outcomes. METHODS Patients of age 18 years or older who were diagnosed clinically and radiologically with acute appendicitis between Jan 1, 2017, and Dec 31, 202,0 were reviewed. The data of 1991 cases were collected and used for this study. Two groups were formed, one group before and the other group after the outbreak. The gathered data included gender, age, appendiceal fecalith, outcomes of treatment, and long-term outcomes of non-operation (8 months follow-up). We also collected details of surgical cases from the above two groups. This data also included age, gender, appendiceal fecalith, fever, jaundice, length of onset before presenting to an emergency department (ED), anesthesia, surgery, white cell count, pathology, complications, and length of stay. We compared the above data respectively and analyzed the differences. RESULTS Compared to the period before the outbreak, patient visits for acute appendicitis remarkably dropped (19.8%), but surgical cases showed no change (dropped by roughly 5%). There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in failure of non-operation(after the pandemic 8.31% vs. before pandemic 3.22%), interval appendectomy(after pandemic 6.29% vs. before pandemic 12.84%), recurrence(after pandemic 23.27% vs. before pandemic 14.46%), and outcomes of recurrence. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in anesthesia method, surgery way, and complications( before pandemic 4.15% vs. after pandemic9.89% P < 0.05) in patients who underwent the surgery. There was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) concerning age, gender, fever, jaundice, appendiceal fecalith, white cell count, and length of onset before presenting to the ED. CONCLUSION The current pandemic prevention policy is very effective, but some decision-making processes of doctor-patient have changed in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, that further influenced some treatment outcomes and might lead to a potential economic burden. It is essential to address the undue concern of everyone and optimize the treatment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Cai
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, 100035 Beijing, China
| | - Jingtao Bi
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, 100035 Beijing, China
| | - Zhixue Zheng
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, 100035 Beijing, China
| | - Yaqi Liu
- grid.414360.40000 0004 0605 7104Department of General Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, 100035 Beijing, China
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Cassell K, Zipfel CM, Bansal S, Weinberger DM. Trends in non-COVID-19 hospitalizations prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic period, United States, 2017-2021. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5930. [PMID: 36209210 PMCID: PMC9546751 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33686-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic-related shifts in healthcare utilization, in combination with trends in non-COVID-19 disease transmission and non-pharmaceutical intervention use, had clear impacts on rates of hospitalization for infectious and chronic diseases. Using a U.S. national healthcare billing database, we estimated the monthly incidence rate ratio of hospitalizations between March 2020 and June 2021 according to 19 ICD-10 diagnostic chapters and 189 subchapters. The majority of primary diagnoses for hospitalization showed an immediate decline in incidence during March 2020. Hospitalizations for reproductive neoplasms, hypertension, and diabetes returned to pre-pandemic levels during late 2020 and early 2021, while others, like those for infectious respiratory disease, did not return to pre-pandemic levels during this period. Our assessment of subchapter-level primary hospitalization codes offers insight into trends among less frequent causes of hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsie Cassell
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Casey M Zipfel
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shweta Bansal
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Daniel M Weinberger
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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Castro GRA, Zwierzikowski TA, Lemes JGDAS, Yuki VMG, Gouveia KO, Roginski-Guetter C. Clinical-epidemiological changes in patients with non-traumatic acute abdomen during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective study. Rev Col Bras Cir 2022; 49:e20223303. [PMID: 36228198 PMCID: PMC10578844 DOI: 10.1590/0100-6991e-20223303-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE we intend to demonstrate the clinical alterations and the postoperative evolution in patients with acute abdomen non-traumatic in conservative or surgical treatment during the pandemic compared to a similar period in the last year. METHOD a single-center retrospective study, including patients who received clinical-surgical treatment at Hospital do Trabalhador diagnosed with acute abdomen between March and August 2020 and a similar period in 2019.Variables studied ranged from demographic data to indices of social isolation. RESULTS 515 patients were included, 291 received treatment in a pre-pandemic period and 224 during. There was not statistical difference in relation to comorbidities (p=0.0685), time to diagnosis and seeking medical help. No statistical differences were observed in terms of days of hospitalization (p = 0.4738) and ICU need (p=0.2320). Regarding in-hospital deaths, there was statistical relevance in the age above 60 years (p=0.002) and there were more deaths during the pandemic period (p=0.032). However, when we analyze the factors associated with the number of days until diagnosis by a physician, there was no statistical difference. CONCLUSION the analyzed data showed that the pandemic period and age over 60 years were the variables that increased the odds ratio for the in-hospital death outcome. However, the length of stay, days in intensive care unit and postoperative surgical complications showed no significant difference.
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DAL MB, UĞUR M, DUYMUŞ ME, TEMİZ M. Management of oncological and emergency surgery cases during COVID-19 pandemic. MUSTAFA KEMAL ÜNIVERSITESI TIP DERGISI 2022. [DOI: 10.17944/mkutfd.1141011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amaç: Acil cerrahi vakalara Genel Cerrahide önemli bir yer tutmaktadır. COVID-19 salgını döneminde, hastaların salgından etkilenme korkusu ve davranış şekillerinin karmaşıklığı bu hastalıkların teşhis ve tedavisini zorlaştırmaktadır.
Yöntem: Üçüncü basamak olan merkezimizde, COVID pandemisi sırasında akut apandisit, kolesistit ve kolorektal kanser tanısı ile cerrahi geçiren hastaların bilgisayarlı veri tabanı retrospektif olarak pandemi öncesi ve pandemi dönemi şeklinde gözden geçirildi.
Bulgular: Çalışma süresi boyunca 1100 hasta apandisit, 500 hasta kolesistit, 120 hasta onkolojik hastalıklar nedeni ile ameliyat edildi. Ortalama yaş her iki dönem için benzerdi, pandemi öncesi dönemde 34.06 ± 16.7 pandemi döneminde 36,72 ± 15,31 yaş ortalaması mevcuttu. Semptom başlaması ile hastaların hastaneye başvuru süreleri her iki döneme benzerdir (34,55 ± 31,51 ile 34,35 ± 37,94 sa, P = 0,968). Laboratuvar testler arasında anlamlı bir farklılık göstermemiştir. WBC değerleri pandemi öncesi dönemde 12.73 ± 4.3 × 103 idi pandemi sonrası dönemde 13.62 ± 4.62×103 (P = 0.1308) idi. Pandemi öncesi ve pandemi döneminde tüm hastalar en az 1 görüntüleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır.
Sonuç: COVID-19 pandemisinin ilk aşamasında, komplike acil cerrahi gereksinimi oranında önemli bir artış vardı. Hastalar bundan kaçınmaları için semptomların başlaması ile acil polikliniklere başvurmaları şiddetle teşvik edilmelidir.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Burak DAL
- HATAY MUSTAFA KEMAL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TAYFUR ATA SÖKMEN TIP FAKÜLTESİ, CERRAHİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, GENEL CERRAHİ ANABİLİM DALI
| | - Mustafa UĞUR
- HATAY MUSTAFA KEMAL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TAYFUR ATA SÖKMEN TIP FAKÜLTESİ, CERRAHİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, GENEL CERRAHİ ANABİLİM DALI
| | - Mehmet Esat DUYMUŞ
- HATAY MUSTAFA KEMAL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TAYFUR ATA SÖKMEN TIP FAKÜLTESİ, CERRAHİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, GENEL CERRAHİ ANABİLİM DALI
| | - Muhyittin TEMİZ
- HATAY MUSTAFA KEMAL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TAYFUR ATA SÖKMEN TIP FAKÜLTESİ, CERRAHİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, GENEL CERRAHİ ANABİLİM DALI
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21
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Herrod PJJ, Kwok AT, Lobo DN. Randomized clinical trials comparing antibiotic therapy with appendicectomy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis: meta-analysis. BJS Open 2022; 6:6667669. [PMID: 35971796 PMCID: PMC9379374 DOI: 10.1093/bjsopen/zrac100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This aim of this study was to provide an updated meta-analysis comparing antibiotic therapy with appendicectomy in adults (16 years or older) with uncomplicated acute appendicitis. METHODS A search for randomized clinical trials comparing antibiotic therapy with appendicectomy in adults with uncomplicated acute appendicitis from inception to 3 October 2021 in MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL with no language constraints was performed. Studies were excluded if they included paediatric participants or those with complicated appendicitis. Data on complications of treatment, treatment efficacy (defined in the antibiotic group as not undergoing appendicectomy within 1 year of enrolment, versus surgery without complications or no negative histology in the appendicectomy group), readmissions, and length of stay (LOS) were presented. RESULTS Eight RCTs involving 3203 participants (1613 antibiotics/1590 appendicectomy; 2041 males/1162 females) were included. There was no significant benefit of antibiotic treatment on complication rates (risk ratio (RR) 0.66, 95 per cent c.i. 0.41 to 1.04). Antibiotics had a reduced treatment efficacy compared with appendicectomy (RR 0.75, 95 per cent c.i. 0.63 to 0.89). Antibiotic treatment at 1 year was successful in 1016 of 1613 (62.9 per cent) participants. There was a six-fold increase in hospital readmissions within 1 year of enrolment in participants receiving antibiotic treatment (RR 6.28, 95 per cent c.i. 2.87 to 13.74). There was no difference in index admission LOS (mean difference 0.15 days (95 per cent c.i. -0.05 to 0.35)). CONCLUSIONS Earlier optimism regarding the benefits of antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis does not persist at the same level now that further, large trials have been included. If antibiotic treatment is to be offered routinely as first-line therapy, patients should be counselled appropriately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J J Herrod
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre and NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals and University of Nottingham, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Alex T Kwok
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre and NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals and University of Nottingham, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Dileep N Lobo
- Correspondence to: Dileep N. Lobo, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre and NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals and University of Nottingham, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK (e-mail: )
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22
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Utku Çelik S, Lapsekili E, Alakuş Ü. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency general surgery outcomes: A single-center retrospective cohort study. ULUS TRAVMA ACIL CER 2022; 28:900-910. [PMID: 35775682 PMCID: PMC10493828 DOI: 10.14744/tjtes.2021.89287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the health-care system unpredictably. Restrictions and precautions have had a significant impact on the volume and nature of admissions in emergency services. In this study, we hypothesized that the pandemic would result in a change in the number of emergencies admitted to the general surgery inpatient service and a worse patient outcome compared to the previous year. METHODS A retrospective analysis of emergency general surgical admissions during the first 6 months of the pandemic and the same period in 2019 was conducted. Demographics, laboratory assessments, diagnosis, treatment strategies, and postoperative out-comes were analyzed. RESULTS 761 patients were admitted to the general surgery service during two 6-month periods (392 vs. 369, respectively). This represented a 5.9% reduction in admissions. However, in the first 2 months of the pandemic, the number of emergency general surgical admissions decreased by 37.1% and 43.7%, respectively. Comparison of periods demonstrated no significant differences in demograph-ics, laboratory values, incidence of emergencies, treatment strategies, and hospital stay. Acute appendicitis, cholecystitis, and bowel obstruction were the three most common surgical emergencies in the pandemic. However, there was no significant difference in outcomes between the periods when each surgical emergency was evaluated separately. CONCLUSION Pandemic appears to affect general surgical admissions with a fluctuating pattern, an increasing trend following a sig-nificant 2-month decrease. These findings suggest that patients presented with a delayed presentation; however, contrary to concerns, there was no difference in patient outcomes between the two periods. This study provides a perspective in management strategies for surgical emergencies in such unusual conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Süleyman Utku Çelik
- Department of General Surgery, Health Science University, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara-Türkiye
| | - Emin Lapsekili
- Department of General Surgery, Health Science University, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara-Türkiye
| | - Ümit Alakuş
- Division of Gastroenterological Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Health Science University, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara-Türkiye
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Petrauskas V, Poskus E, Luksaite – Lukste R, Kryzauskas M, Petrulionis M, Strupas K, Poskus T. Suspected and Confirmed Acute Appendicitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic: First and Second Quarantines—a Prospective Study. Front Surg 2022; 9:896206. [PMID: 35800113 PMCID: PMC9253423 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.896206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PurposeCOVID-19 posed an unprecedented modern global healthcare crisis affecting both elective and urgent surgeries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the difference in the presentation of acute appendicitis (AA) before and during the COVID-19 era, the first and second quarantines.MethodsWe performed a prospective study from December 2018 to May 2021. Two cohorts were analysed, one with patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with suspected AA and the second with confirmed AA. Both cohorts were divided into four groups: before COVID-19, during the first quarantine, between the first and second quarantine, and during the second quarantine. Data such as demographics, the time to first contact with the healthcare provider and time to operation, laboratory tests, clinical stage of AA, length of stay, and COVID-19 status were collected. A total of 469 patients were enrolled.ResultsA total of 209 patients were male (45%) and 260 were female (55%), with the median age being 33 years (24–45). In the first cohort of suspected AA, there was no difference in sex; however, more older patients presented to the ED during the first quarantine (41 years) compared with other groups (28.5, 36, and 32.5 years), p < 0.000. Before the pandemic, there was a shorter duration of symptoms to first contact with the healthcare provider (13 h) compared with other groups, p = 0.001. In the second cohort of confirmed AA, there was a shorter period of time to operation from first symptoms before the pandemic (22 h) compared with other groups (30, 35, 30.5 h), p < 0.000. There were more complicated gangrenous, perforated appendicitis or periappendicular abscess in Group 2 and 3 (26, 22 and 10%, and 26, 22 and 2%, respectively) compared with Group 1 (20, 4 and 3%) and Group 4 (22, 12, and 2%), p = 0.009. Hospital stay was longer during the first quarantine (3 days) compared with other groups (2 days), p = 0.009. Six patients were COVID-19 positive: one from Group 3 and five from Group 4 (p > 0.05).ConclusionsOur study suggests that during the first quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was delayed presentation to the ED with suspected AA and there was a greater proportion of complicated appendicitis and longer hospitalization in confirmed cases as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidas Petrauskas
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Correspondence: Vidas Petrauskas
| | - Eligijus Poskus
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Raminta Luksaite – Lukste
- Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Physics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Marius Kryzauskas
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Marius Petrulionis
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Kestutis Strupas
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Tomas Poskus
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephro-Urology and Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Bhaskar J, McLean RC, Bhaskar K, Brown LR. Temporal Trends in the Investigation, Management and Outcomes of Acute Appendicitis over 15 Years in the North of England: A Retrospective Cohort Study. World J Surg 2022; 46:2141-2154. [PMID: 35585254 PMCID: PMC9116928 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-022-06586-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 8.6% for males and 6.7% for females. Despite the frequency of presentation, considerable variation in clinical practice exists. Our study aimed to explore temporal trends in the investigation, treatment and outcomes for patients with appendicitis between 2002 and 2016. METHODS Data collected included all patients aged ≥16 years across the NHS trusts in Northern England between 01/01/2002 and 31/12/2016 diagnosed with appendicitis. Patient demographics, co-morbidity and management strategies were included. Outcomes of interest were length of stay and inpatient mortality. RESULTS Over a 15 years period, 22,137 patients were admitted with acute appendicitis. A consistent male preponderance (n = 11,952, 54%) was observed, and median age increased over time (2002-2006: 36.4 vs. 2012-2016: 39.5, p < 0.001). Comorbidity of patients also increased (p < 0.001) in recent years. Computed tomography (CT) use increased from 0.8 to 21.9% (p < 0.001) over the study period. Following CT scanning, there was a longer time to theatre (1.22 vs. 0.70 days, p < 0.001), and patients were more frequently managed non-operatively (23.8% vs. 5.7%, p < 0.001). The utilisation of laparoscopic approaches significantly increased from 4.1 to 70.4% (p < 0.001). Laparoscopic patients had a shorter median length of stay (2.97 days) when compared with open surgery (4.44 days) or non-operative (6.19 days) patients. The 30-day mortality rate was 0.33% overall and decreased with time (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS CT and laparoscopic surgery are increasingly utilised in the management of appendicitis. Along with other advances in clinical practice, they have led to reduced lengths of stay and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared Bhaskar
- St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, SW17 0RE, England, UK.
| | - Ross C McLean
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Site, Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Gateshead, NE9 6SX, England, UK
| | - Keir Bhaskar
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2BX, England, UK
| | - Leo R Brown
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ, Scotland, UK
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Sevinç MM, Karagülle OO, Kaya R, Ertürk C, Doğan S. Evaluation of the appendectomy cases performed under emergency conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and discussed with the pathology reports. ULUS TRAVMA ACIL CER 2022; 28:703-710. [PMID: 35485461 PMCID: PMC10442994 DOI: 10.14744/tjtes.2022.16287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to examine the cases underwent appendectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic and to discuss the pathology reports of patients. METHODS During the COVID-19 pandemic, the pathological reports of the appendectomy materials of 588 patients over the age of 15 who applied to the emergency department between January 1, 2020, and June 1, 2021, were examined. A total of 565 patients with a diagnosis of acute (AA), subacute (SA), or perforated appendicitis (PA) were included and divided into three groups according to diagnosis. Twenty-three patients were excluded from the study due to other pathologies. The age, gender, duration of pain, ASA score, operational technique, operation time, Clavien-Dindo score, hospitalization time, post-operative complications, pre- and post-operative PCR and thoracic tomography findings in suspected cases of COVID-19, and laboratory and radiological findings of patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS Of 565 patients diagnosed with appendicitis, 464 (82.1%) had AA, 35 (6.2%) SA, and 66 (11.7%) PA. The median age of the PA group was higher than in the AA group (p=0.0139). The incidence of diabetes mellitus in the PA group and of asthma in the SA group were highest among other groups (p=0.004 and 0.0037, respectively). The duration of pain was longer in the SA and PA groups than the AA group (p<0.0001), therefore, the patients applied to hospital later than the acute group. The rate of thorax CT-positive scans was 1.6% in patients suspected for COVID-19 (p=0.066). While laparoscopic surgery was preferred over 70% in all groups, the rate of conventional surgery (21.1%) in the AA group was highest and of transition from laparoscopic to open surgery was highest in the PA group (10.6%) (p<0.0001). Hospitalization duration was longest in the PA group (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION COVID-19 pandemic not only changes all routines of social life but also complicates the treatment and manage-ment of cases with AA symptoms applied to hospital under emergency conditions. Follow-up of the appendectomy specimen is crucial in terms of excluding other pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mert Mahsuni Sevinç
- Department of General Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul-Turkey
| | - Onur Olgaç Karagülle
- Department of General Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul-Turkey
| | - Rozan Kaya
- Department of General Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul-Turkey
| | - Candeniz Ertürk
- Department of General Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul-Turkey
| | - Selim Doğan
- Department of General Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul-Turkey
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26
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Tazeoglu D, Esmer AC, Arslan B, Dag A. Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect the Management of Patients With Acute Appendicitis? Cureus 2022; 14:e24631. [PMID: 35664393 PMCID: PMC9152159 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the lives and habits of people all over the world. In this study, it was planned to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment duration of acute appendicitis (AA), morbidity and mortality. Methods The data of patients who were operated on with the diagnosis of AA in our clinic between March 2019 and March 2021, divided into pre-COVID and post-COVID periods, were analyzed. Patients diagnosed with AA, who had the only appendectomy perioperatively, and who had complete preoperative blood analysis and radiological imaging data were included in the study. Results The time from the onset of symptoms to the time of admission to the hospital was statistically significantly longer than in the post-COVID group (p=0.04). During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the use of ultrasonography was statistically significantly reduced (p<0.01); computed tomography use increased (p<0.001). Laparoscopic appendectomy as a surgical technique decreased statistically significantly during the pandemic period (p=0.02). Postoperative complications and the postoperative complication severity degrees were not statistically significant between periods (p=0.24, p=0.68). The risk for the occurrence of postoperative complications in COVID-19 positive patients was statistically higher (p=0.01) (OR: 9.38 95% CI: 1.96 - 44.88). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic had caused delays in the admission and diagnosis of patients who might need surgery due to AA. Postoperative complication frequency and complication severity classification were not affected. COVID-19 positivity was a risk factor for complex AA presenting with periappendicular abscess, gangrenous and perforated appendix.
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Cassell K, Zipfel CM, Bansal S, Weinberger DM. Trends in non-COVID-19 hospitalizations prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic period, United States, 2017 â€" 2021. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2022:2022.04.26.22274301. [PMID: 35547844 PMCID: PMC9094108 DOI: 10.1101/2022.04.26.22274301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic-related shifts in healthcare utilization, in combination with trends in non-COVID-19 disease transmission and NPI use, had clear impacts on infectious and chronic disease hospitalization rates. Using a national healthcare billing database (C19RDB), we estimated the monthly incidence rate ratio of hospitalizations between March 2020 and June 2021 according to 19 ICD-10 diagnostic chapters and 189 subchapters. The majority of hospitalization causes showed an immediate decline in incidence during March 2020. Hospitalizations for diagnoses such as reproductive neoplasms, hypertension, and diabetes returned to pre-pandemic norms in incidence during late 2020 and early 2021, while others, like those for infectious respiratory disease, never returned to pre-pandemic norms. These results are crucial for contextualizing future research, particularly time series analyses, utilizing surveillance and hospitalization data for non-COVID-19 disease. Our assessment of subchapter level primary hospitalization codes offers new insight into trends among less frequent causes of hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsie Cassell
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven CT, USA
| | - Casey M Zipfel
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Shweta Bansal
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Daniel M. Weinberger
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven CT, USA
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28
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Roberts K. Impact of COVID-19 on appendicitis presentations in children in Australia and New Zealand. ANZ J Surg 2022; 92:736-741. [PMID: 35285164 PMCID: PMC9111244 DOI: 10.1111/ans.17566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In contrast to many countries, the prevalence of COVID-19 in Australia and New Zealand has been low. We hypothesised, however, that a potential secondary effect of the COVID-19 pandemic would be delayed presentation of paediatric appendicitis, with resultant higher rates of complicated appendicitis. This study was an initiative of the Australian and New Zealand Surgery in Children Registrars' Association for Trials collaborative, a trainee-led research group based in Australia and New Zealand. METHODS A binational multicentre, retrospective review was undertaken of paediatric patients with appendicitis early in the COVID-19 pandemic (20 March-30 April 2020), compared with previous years (2018, 2019). Primary outcomes were the duration of symptoms prior to presentation and the severity of disease. RESULTS A total of 400 patients from six centres were included. Duration of symptoms prior to presentation, sepsis at presentation, complicated disease and presence of complications did not differ significantly between time periods. Duration of intravenous antibiotic treatment and overall antibiotic treatment were both significantly shorter during 2020 (2.4 days versus 3.5 in 2018 and 3.0 in 2019 [P = 0.0038] and 3.7 days versus 5.2 in 2018 and 4.6 in 2019 [P = 0.04], respectively). Management approach did not differ, with the majority of patients managed operatively. CONCLUSIONS We did not demonstrate any difference in duration of symptoms prior to presentation or other markers of disease severity early in the pandemic. Duration of antibiotic treatment was shorter during this period compared with previous years. Management of children with appendicitis, both simple and complicated, did not appear to change as a result of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiera Roberts
- Department of Paediatric SurgeryTownsville University HospitalDouglasQueenslandAustralia
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An S, Kim HR, Jang S, Kim K. The Impact of the Coronavirus Disease - 19 Pandemic on the Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Adult Patients with Acute Appendicitis. Front Surg 2022; 9:878534. [PMID: 35433818 PMCID: PMC9009369 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.878534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the characteristics, severity, and treatment of adult patients with acute appendicitis in Korea over a 2-year period during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic compared to those before the pandemic. We also investigated whether there were any changes in clinical characteristics of acute appendicitis before and after vaccination against the coronavirus.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis at our institution between March 1, 2019, and August 31, 2021. We divided the patients into three groups (pre-pandemic, before vaccination, and after vaccination) and analyzed the clinical outcomes.ResultsThe time from symptom onset to hospital arrival and the time from symptom onset to operation increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. The rate of complicated appendicitis during the pandemic was higher than that before the pandemic. In addition, the number of new daily cases showed a positive correlation with the time from symptom onset to hospital arrival (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.04; P < 0.001) and complicated appendicitis (OR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.001–1.002; P = 0.0017). The vaccination rate showed a negative correlation with the time from symptom onset to hospital arrival (OR, −2.26; 95% CI, −3.42 to −1.11; P < 0.001) and complicated appendicitis (OR, 0.915; 95% CI, 0.84 to 0.996; P = 0.0404).ConclusionsEmploying hospital-wide efforts, such as screening by rapid PCR testing, to avoid further time delays, and nationwide efforts, such as vaccination, to shorten the time from symptom onset to hospital arrival, are necessary to maintain the quality of treatment of acute appendicitis during an infectious disease pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanghyun An
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
| | - Hae-Rim Kim
- College of Natural Science, School of Statistics, University of Seoul, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sungwoo Jang
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
| | - Kwangmin Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
- Correspondence: Kwangmin Kim
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Feasibility and usability of a regional hub model for colorectal cancer services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Updates Surg 2022; 74:619-628. [PMID: 35239150 PMCID: PMC8891734 DOI: 10.1007/s13304-022-01264-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic produced unprecedented challenges, at a global level, in the provision of cancer care. With the ongoing need in the delivery of life-saving cancer treatment, the surgical management of patients with colorectal cancer required prompt significant transformation. The aim of this retrospective study is to report the outcome of a bespoke regional Cancer Hub model in the delivery of elective and essential colorectal cancer surgery, at the height of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. 168 patients underwent colorectal cancer surgery from April 1st to June 30th of 2020. Approximately 75% of patients operated upon underwent colonic resection, of which 47% were left-sided, 34% right-sided and 12% beyond total mesorectal excision surgeries. Around 79% of all resectional surgeries were performed via laparotomy, and the remainder 21%, robotically or laparoscopically. Thirty-day complication rate, for Clavien–Dindo IIIA and above, was 4.2%, and 30-day mortality rate was 0.6%. Re-admission rate, within 30 days post-discharge, was 1.8%, however, no patient developed COVID-19 specific complications post-operatively and up to 28 days post-discharge. The established Cancer Hub offered elective surgical care for patients with colorectal cancer in a centralised, timely and efficient manner, with acceptable post-operative outcomes and no increased risk of contracting COVID-19 during their inpatient stay. We offer a practical model of care that can be used when elective surgery “hubs” for streamlined delivery of elective care needs to be established in an expeditious fashion, either due to the COVID-19 pandemic or any other future pandemics.
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Chang YJ, Chen LJ, Chang YJ. Did the severity of appendicitis increase during the COVID-19 pandemic? PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263814. [PMID: 35143582 PMCID: PMC8830628 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess the severity of appendicitis during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as patients with appendicitis may procrastinate seeking medical attention during the pandemic. METHODS Information on patients with appendicitis who were treated at the Taipei City Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic (January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020) was retrieved. Patients who were diagnosed with appendicitis and treated at the same hospital from January 1, 2019 to July 1, 2019 were designated as the control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess changes in the severity of appendicitis (at a 2-week interval) between the two groups. RESULTS We identified 307 (study group: 149; control group: 158) consecutive patients with appendicitis. The mean age was 46.2 +- 19.8 years. Between the two groups, there were no significant differences in age, sex, comorbidity, surgery type (laparoscopic or open appendectomy) or surgery time. The number of patients in the study group decreased between January 29, 2020 and April 21, 2020, which paralleled the period of spikes in the confirmed COVID-19 cases and restricted daily activities. The percentage of uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis (excluding mild appendicitis or normal appendix) in the study group increased between February 26 and March 10, as well as between April 8 and April 21. In the multivariate regression analysis, the odds of uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis increased in three bi-weeks for the study group but not in the control group. CONCLUSION The severity of acute appendicitis might increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, because patients with mild appendicitis (or abdominal pain) may hesitate to seek help.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Jen Chang
- Department of Surgery, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ju Chen
- University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, HepingFuyou Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Jau Chang
- Department of General Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of General Surgery, Zhong-Xing Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Zhang P, Zhang Q, Zhao HW. COVID-19 pandemic changed the management and outcomes of acute appendicitis in northern Beijing: A single-center study. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:820-829. [PMID: 35127898 PMCID: PMC8790446 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i3.820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, outcomes and management of many diseases have been affected. Acute appendicitis is a common acute abdomen. The incidence rate is 0.05%-0.5%. Studies reported that the number of patients with appendicitis admitted to emergency department significantly decreased since the pandemic. People avoided going to the hospital for fear of being infected. Different countries have different epidemic prevention measures that result in different treatment outcomes. The Chinese government also published some temporary measures in order to prevent the outbreak.
AIM To explore the changes in management and outcomes of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic in the North of Beijing.
METHODS Patients with acute appendicitis admitted to Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital between February and June 2019 and February and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Cases were grouped according to admission year. The demographic characteristics, present illnesses, medical history, symptoms and signs, comorbidities, blood test results, imaging data, appendix pathology, and treatment details were compared.
RESULTS Overall, 74 patients received nonsurgical treatment and 113 patients underwent surgical treatment in group 2019, whereas 159 patients received nonsurgical treatment and 26 patients received surgical treatment in group 2020. Fever, thick appendix, nonsurgical management, and uncomplicated appendicitis (simple or supportive appendicitis) were more common in group 2020 (P < 0.05). Among the nonsurgical management cases, the neutrophil percentage, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and recurrence rate were higher in group 2020 (P < 0.05). Among surgically managed cases, there were more cases with gastrointestinal symptoms, peritonitis, ascites in the image, and intraoperative adhesion or ascites in group 2020 (P < 0.05). The white blood cell count, time from diagnosis to surgery, surgical time, and intraoperative blood loss were higher in group 2020 (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients suffering from acute appendicitis in Beijing tended to present with severe symptoms and opt for nonsurgical treatment. For patients who underwent surgical management, the operation was delayed and more difficult during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the hospital stay and the incidence of postsurgical complications did not change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Hong-Wei Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
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Rashid A, Gupta A, Adiamah A, West J, Grainge M, Humes DJ. Mortality Following Appendicectomy in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. World J Surg 2022; 46:531-541. [PMID: 34988603 PMCID: PMC8731215 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-021-06373-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction With the global prevalence of liver cirrhosis rising, this systematic review aimed to define the perioperative risk of mortality in these patients following appendicectomy. Methods Systematic searches of Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases, ICTRP, and Clinical trials.gov were undertaken to identify studies including patients with cirrhosis undergoing appendicectomy, published since database inception to March 2021. Studies had to report mortality. Two review authors independently identified eligible studies and extracted data. Pooled analysis of in-patient and 30-day mortality was performed. Results Of the 948 studies identified, four were included and this comprised three nationwide database studies (USA and Denmark) and one multi-centre observational study (Japan). A total of 923 patients had cirrhosis and 167,211 patients did not. In-patient mortality ranged from 0 to 1.7% in patients with cirrhosis and 0.17 to 0.3% in patients without. 30-day mortality was 9% in patients with cirrhosis compared to 0.3% in those without. One study stratified cirrhotic patients into compensated and decompensated groups. In patients with compensated cirrhosis, mortality following laparoscopic appendicectomy (0.5%) was significantly lower than open appendicectomy (3.2%). The meta-analysis highlighted a tenfold increase in perioperative mortality in cirrhotic patients (OR 9.92 (95% CI 4.67 to 21.06, I2 = 28%). All studies reported an increased length of stay in patients with cirrhosis. Conclusion This review suggests that appendicectomy in the cirrhotic population is associated with increased mortality. LA may be safer in this population. Lack of information on cirrhosis severity and failure to control for age and co-morbidities make the results difficult to interpret. Further large population-based studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil Rashid
- National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, E Floor West Block, QMC Campus, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
| | - Alisha Gupta
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Alfred Adiamah
- National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, E Floor West Block, QMC Campus, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Joe West
- Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Building, City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Matthew Grainge
- Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Building, City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - David J Humes
- National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Unit, E Floor West Block, QMC Campus, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.,Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Building, City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
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Herrera J, Arrechea R, Mihura M, Bregante M, Medina J, Pirchi D. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictive measures on acute appendicitis: Do not let your guard down. J Minim Access Surg 2022; 18:539-544. [PMID: 35046185 PMCID: PMC9632706 DOI: 10.4103/jmas.jmas_267_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the usual dynamics of consultation and presentation for acute appendicitis (AA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic and restrictive measures on the cases of AA. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with AA between December 2019 and July 2020 was conducted. Patients were classified into two groups; one that underwent treatment in the 16 weeks before the implementation of lockdown in Argentina (Group 1) and another that underwent treatment in the 16 weeks after (Group 2). Demographic, clinical and surgical variables were evaluated. Results: Overall, 91 patients underwent surgery, 61 and 30 patients in each group, showing a 51% drop in the incidence. The second group delayed seeking medical care longer (mean 46 h vs. 27 h, P < 0.05), had a higher rate of perforated appendicitis (30% vs. 11%, P < 0.05) and a higher rate of complicated appendicitis (56.6% vs. 18%, P < 0.01). These results were associated with a longer operative time (43.7 ± 15.5 min vs. 36.1 ± 11.1 min, P < 0.05) and a longer mean length of hospital stay (1.9 days vs. 1.4 days, P < 0.01); however, no increase in the quantity and severity of post-operative complications was observed. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic and restrictive social measures led to fewer consultations for abdominal pain, resulting in a lower number of AA diagnosed. In addition, a longer delay in seeking medical care was observed, leading to more advanced disease, longer operative time and length of hospital stay.
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Habeeb TA, Hussain A, Schlottmann F, Kermansaravi M, Aiolfi A, Matic I, Abdelazez O, negm SM, Baghdadi MA, Abdou yassin M, Sallam AM, Mohammad H, Habib FM, Abdelhamid MI, Amin MF. Recurrent appendicitis following successful drainage of appendicular abscess in adult without interval appendectomy during COVID-19. Prospective cohort study. Int J Surg 2022; 97:106200. [PMID: 34971815 PMCID: PMC8714245 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2021.106200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 infection is a global pandemic that affected routine health services and made patients fear to consult for medical health problems, even acute abdominal pain. Subsequently, the incidence of complicated appendicitis increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate recurrent appendicitis after successful drainage of appendicular abscess during COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective cohort study conducted in the surgical emergency units of our Universities' Hospitals between March 15, 2020 to August 15, 2020 including patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of an appendicular abscess and who underwent open or radiological drainage. Main outcomes included incidence, severity, and risk factors of recurrent appendicitis in patients without interval appendectomy. RESULTS A total of 316 patients were included for analysis. The mean age of the patients was 37 years (SD ± 13). About two-thirds of patients were males (60.1%). More than one-third (39.6%) had co-morbidities; type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (22.5%) and hypertension (17.1%) were the most frequent. Approximately one quarter (25.6%) had confirmed COVID 19 infection. About one-third of the patients (30.4%) had recurrent appendicitis. More than half of them (56.3%) showed recurrence after three months, and 43.8% of patients showed recurrence in the first three months. The most frequent grade was grade I (63.5%). Most patients (77.1%) underwent open surgery. Age, T2DM, hypertension, COVID-19 infection and abscess size >3 cm were significantly risking predictors for recurrent appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS Interval appendectomy is suggested to prevent 56.3% of recurrent appendicitis that occurs after 3 months. We recommend performing interval appendectomy in older age, people with diabetes, COVID-19 infected, and abscesses more than 3 cm in diameter. RESEARCH QUESTION Is interval appendectomy preventing a high incidence of recurrent appendicitis after successful drainage of appendicular abscess during COVID-19 pandemic?
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamer A.A.M. Habeeb
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt,Corresponding author. Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Abdulzahra Hussain
- Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield University, UK
| | | | - Mohammad Kermansaravi
- Department of Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Division of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, Rasool-e Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alberto Aiolfi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health Milan, Italy
| | - Ivan Matic
- Surgery Department General Hospital Aleksinac, Serbia
| | - Osama Abdelazez
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Said mohamed negm
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | | | | | - Ahmed M. Sallam
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Hatem Mohammad
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Fady Mehaney Habib
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | | | - Mohamed Farouk Amin
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
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Huang SS, Tsou HJ, Tsai CH, Cheng SP, Chu TP. Outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy during the level 3 alert of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Taiwan: Experience in a referral center. FORMOSAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/fjs.fjs_90_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Pata F, Di Martino M, Podda M, Di Saverio S, Ielpo B, Pellino G. Evolving Trends in the Management of Acute Appendicitis During COVID-19 Waves: The ACIE Appy II Study. World J Surg 2022; 46:2021-2035. [PMID: 35810215 PMCID: PMC9332068 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-022-06649-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. METHODS From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. RESULTS A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. CONCLUSION Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Pata
- General Surgery Unit, UOC di Chirurgia, Nicola Giannettasio Hospital, Via Ippocrate, 87064, Corigliano-Rossano, CS, Italy.
- La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marcello Di Martino
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplantation Surgery, A.O.R.N. Cardarelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Podda
- Department of Surgical Science, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Salomone Di Saverio
- Department of Surgery, Madonna del Soccorso General Hospital, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
| | - Benedetto Ielpo
- Hepatobiliary division, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gianluca Pellino
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, Universitá degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Policlinico CS, Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy.
- Colorectal Surgery, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
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El Nakeeb A, Emile SH, AbdelMawla A, Attia M, Alzahrani M, ElGamdi A, Nouh AE, Alshahrani A, AlAreef R, Kayed T, Hamza HM, AlMalki A, Rayzah F, Alsharif M, Alsharif F, Mohammed MM. Presentation and outcomes of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned from the Middle East-a multicentre prospective cohort study. Int J Colorectal Dis 2022; 37:777-789. [PMID: 35152340 PMCID: PMC8853311 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-022-04108-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a striking impact on healthcare services in the world. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation management and outcomes of acute appendicitis (AA) in different centers in the Middle East. METHODS This multicenter cohort study compared the presentation and outcomes of patients with AA who presented during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to patients who presented before the onset of the pandemic. Demographic data, clinical presentation, management strategy, and outcomes were prospectively collected and compared. RESULTS Seven hundred seventy-one patients presented with AA during the COVID pandemic versus 1174 in the pre-COVID period. Delayed and complex presentation of AA was significantly more observed during the pandemic period. Seventy-six percent of patients underwent CT scanning to confirm the diagnosis of AA during the pandemic period, compared to 62.7% in the pre-COVID period. Non-operative management (NOM) was more frequently employed in the pandemic period. Postoperative complications were higher amid the pandemic as compared to before its onset. Reoperation and readmission rates were significantly higher in the COVID period, whereas the negative appendicectomy rate was significantly lower in the pandemic period (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION During the COVID-19 pandemic, a remarkable decrease in the number of patients with AA was seen along with a higher incidence of complex AA, greater use of CT scanning, and more application of NOM. The rates of postoperative complications, reoperation, and readmission were significantly higher during the COVID period.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mohamed Alzahrani
- Khamis Mushait General Hospital, Aseer region, Khamis Mushait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman ElGamdi
- Khamis Mushait General Hospital, Aseer region, Khamis Mushait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abd elwahab Nouh
- Khamis Mushait General Hospital, Aseer region, Khamis Mushait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Alshahrani
- Khamis Mushait General Hospital, Aseer region, Khamis Mushait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Riyadh AlAreef
- Khamis Mushait General Hospital, Aseer region, Khamis Mushait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Ahmad AlMalki
- Aseer Central Hospital, Aseer region, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Fares Rayzah
- Aseer Central Hospital, Aseer region, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Motaz Alsharif
- Aseer Central Hospital, Aseer region, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Fares Alsharif
- Aseer Central Hospital, Aseer region, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Kim CW, Lee SH. Impact of COVID-19 on the care of acute appendicitis: a single-center experience in Korea. Ann Surg Treat Res 2021; 101:240-246. [PMID: 34692596 PMCID: PMC8506019 DOI: 10.4174/astr.2021.101.4.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects healthcare systems worldwide; however, few studies have assessed the impact of COVID-19 on emergent surgical diseases. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the care given to patients with acute appendicitis in Korea. Methods Between November 2019 and November 2020, 495 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for acute appendicitis. The patients were divided into prepandemic and pandemic groups. The baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes were compared. Results The time between admission and surgery was longer in the pandemic group than in the prepandemic group (17.6 hours vs. 9 hours, P < 0.001). The operation time was longer (5.8 minutes, P = 0.014), inflammation was more severe (10%, P = 0.036), and more patients visited the emergency room (82.1% vs. 73.3%, P = 0.025) in the pandemic group than in the prepandemic group. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications or length of hospital stay between the 2 groups. After propensity score matching, the time to surgery was delayed (17.3 hours vs. 9 hours, P < 0.001) and more patients visited the emergency room (84.5% vs. 73.3%, P = 0.020) in the pandemic group. Conclusion In the COVID-19 era, the characteristics of patients with acute appendicitis and inflammation worsened. The time to surgery was delayed due to the requirement for preoperative COVID-19 testing and increased the severity of appendicitis did not affect the perioperative outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Woo Kim
- Department of Surgery, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Suk-Hwan Lee
- Department of Surgery, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Pellino G, Podda M, Pata F, Di Saverio S, Ielpo B. Inequalities in screening policies and perioperative protection for patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic: Subanalysis of the ACIE Appy study. Br J Surg 2021; 108:e332-e335. [PMID: 35015820 DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G Pellino
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, Universitá degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
- Colorectal Surgery, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Podda
- Department of General and Emergency Surgery, Cagliari University Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
| | - F Pata
- General Surgery Unit, Nicola Giannettasio Hospital, Corigliano-Rossano, Italy
- La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - S Di Saverio
- ASUR Marche 5, San Benedetto del Tronto General Hospital, University Hospital of Varese, ASST Sette Laghi, Regione Lombardia, Varese, Italy
| | - B Ielpo
- Department of Surgery, HPB Unit, Hospital del Mar - Parc de Salut MAR, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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Al Hashmi FY, Al Zuabi A, Hachim IY, Mannaerts GHH, Bekdache O. Conservative management of acute appendicitis in the era of COVID 19: A multicenter prospective observational study at the United Arab Emirates. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SURGERY OPEN 2021; 36:100389. [PMID: 34568625 PMCID: PMC8386107 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijso.2021.100389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background & Aims Since its emergence in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a profound impact on the health care system worldwide. We propose herein to evaluate the impact of implementing conservative management as an alternative approach to surgical appendectomy during COVID19 pandemic. Materials and Methods Our study is a prospective multicenter study that includes a cohort of 158 patients admitted to the surgical departments in both Tawam Hospital and SSMC hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE, from February 2020 till July 2020. Results Our results showed a significant decrease in length of hospital stay (LOS) (2.32 ± 0.83 days) among conservatively treated group compared to the surgically treated group (2.8 ± 1.47 days). Also, short term follow-up showed that 90% of those patients did not require further operative intervention or developed complications. Out of the 110 patients that were swapped for COVID19, nine (8.18%) were confirmed to be positive. Our protocol was to avoid surgical management for COVID19 positive patients unless indicated. This resulted in (8/9) of COVID19 positive patients to be treated conservatively. Conclusions In conclusion, our results showed that the implementation of conservative management in treating patients with acute appendicitis who were COVID19 positive maybe essential in reducing viral transmission risks as well as avoiding operative risks on COVID19 positive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Y Al Hashmi
- General Surgery Division, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abeer Al Zuabi
- General Surgery Division, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ibrahim Yaseen Hachim
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Omar Bekdache
- Trauma Service, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Doleman B, Fonnes S, Lund JN, Boyd-Carson H, Javanmard-Emamghissi H, Moug S, Hollyman M, Tierney G, Tou S, Williams JP. Appendectomy versus antibiotic treatment for acute appendicitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brett Doleman
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia; Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham; Derby UK
| | - Siv Fonnes
- Center for Perioperative Optimization, Department of Surgery; Herlev Hospital; Herlev Denmark
| | - Jon N Lund
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Medicine; University of Nottingham; Derby UK
| | - Hannah Boyd-Carson
- Department of Surgery; Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham; Derby UK
| | | | - Susan Moug
- Department of Surgery; Royal Alexandra Hospital; Paisley UK
| | - Marianne Hollyman
- Department of General Surgery; Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Taunton UK
| | | | - Samson Tou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery; Royal Derby Hospital; Derby UK
| | - John P Williams
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia; Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham; Derby UK
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Piltcher-da-Silva R, Castro TL, Trapp AG, Bohnenberger S, Kroth EC, Pinto JAR, Grehs C, Tomasi DC, Diemen VV, Cavazzola LT. The impact of COVID-19 and social avoidance in urgent and emergency surgeries - will a delay in diagnosis result in perioperative complications? Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2021; 67:355-359. [PMID: 34468597 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20201000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The sudden COVID-19 outbreak has changed our health system. Physicians had to face the challenge of treating a large number of critically ill patients with a new disease and also maintain the essential healthcare services functioning properly. To prevent disease dissemination, authorities instructed people to stay at home and seek medical care only if they experienced respiratory distress. However, there are concerns those patients did not seek necessary health care because of these orientations. This study aims to see how the pandemic has influenced the severity of the disease, complication, and mortality of patients undergoing emergency cholecystectomy and appendectomy. METHODS Retrospective review of medical records of patients admitted to the emergency department and undergoing to cholecystectomy and appendicectomy in the periods from March to May 2019 and 2020. RESULTS We observed that COVID-19 did not change the severity of presentation or the outcome of patients with gallbladder disease, but caused a 24.2% increase in the prevalence of complicated appendicitis (p<0.05). However, disagreeing with what was expected, we did not identify a greater number of perioperative complications in patients undergoing an appendectomy. CONCLUSION Therefore, it seems that in a university tertiary referral center COVID-19 did not influence the management and outcome of inflammatory diseases treated in the surgical emergency department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Piltcher-da-Silva
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, General Surgery Service - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
| | - Tiago Lima Castro
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, General Surgery Service - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
| | - Artur Gehres Trapp
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, General Surgery Service - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
| | - Simoni Bohnenberger
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, General Surgery Service - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
| | - Eduardo Castelli Kroth
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, General Surgery Service - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
| | - Jorge Armando Reyes Pinto
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, General Surgery Service - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
| | - Caroline Grehs
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, General Surgery Service - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
| | - Danielle Cristina Tomasi
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, General Surgery Service - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
| | - Vinicius Von Diemen
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, General Surgery Service - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
| | - Leandro Totti Cavazzola
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, General Surgery Service - Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
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44
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The effect of the Covid-19 outbreak on the management of acute appendicitis: A retrospective comparative cohort study. JOURNAL OF SURGERY AND MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.28982/josam.960850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Cost-Utility Analysis of Antibiotic Therapy versus Appendicectomy for Acute Uncomplicated Appendicitis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168473. [PMID: 34444222 PMCID: PMC8392297 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current UK National Health Service (NHS) guidelines recommend appendicectomy as gold standard treatment for acute uncomplicated appendicitis. However, an alternative non-surgical management involves administrating antibiotic-only therapy with significantly lower costs. Therefore, a UK-based cost-utility analysis (CUA) was performed to compare appendicectomy with an antibiotic-only treatment from an NHS perspective. METHODS This economic evaluation modelled health-outcome data using the ACTUAA (2021) prospective multicentre trial. The non-randomised control trial followed 318 patients given either antibiotic therapy or appendicectomy, with quality of life (QOL) assessed using the SF-12 questionnaires administered 1-year post-treatment. A CUA was conducted over a 1-year time horizon, measuring benefits in quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs in pound sterling using a propensity score-matched approach to control for selection based on observable factors. RESULTS The CUA produced an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of -GBP 23,278.51 (-EUR 27,227.80) per QALY. Therefore, for each QALY gained using antibiotic-only treatment instead of appendicectomy, an extra GBP 23,278.51 was saved. Additionally, two sensitivity analyses were conducted to account for post-operative or post-treatment complications. The antibiotic-only option remained dominant in both scenarios. CONCLUSION While the results do not rely on a randomized sample, the analysis based on a 1-year follow-up suggested that antibiotics were largely more cost-effective than appendicectomy and led to improved QOL outcomes for patients. The ICER value of -GBP 23,278.51 demonstrates that the NHS must give further consideration to the current gold standard treatment in acute uncomplicated appendicitis.
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Bowen JM, Sheen JRC, Whitmore H, Wright C, Bowling K. Acute appendicitis in the COVID-19 era: A complicated situation? Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021; 67:102536. [PMID: 34230852 PMCID: PMC8252704 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute appendicitis is the most common intra-abdominal surgical emergency in the world. Null hypothesis of no difference in the number of cases of complicated appendicitis. What impact did the government's ‘Stay at Home’ message have? Increasing body of evidence to support non-operative treatment in certain cases. A significantly higher rate of complicated cases found in the COVID era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel M Bowen
- Specialty Trainee Department of Colorectal Surgery, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Jonathon R C Sheen
- Specialty Trainee Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Helen Whitmore
- Specialty Trainee Department of Colorectal Surgery, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Chloe Wright
- Trust Doctor Department of General Surgery, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Kirk Bowling
- Consultant Department of Upper G.I. Surgery, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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47
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Sheath C, Abdelrahman M, MacCormick A, Chan D. Paediatric appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Paediatr Child Health 2021; 57:986-989. [PMID: 33527572 PMCID: PMC8014244 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIM The repercussions of the pandemic on patients without COVID-19 have been well documented. Although there is evidence that adult patients present later with complicated appendicitis, the impact on the paediatric population is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation and management of paediatric appendicitis. METHODS Data from consecutive paediatric patients admitted with right iliac fossa pain to a teaching hospital from 1 March 2020 until 30 June 2020 (COVID-19) were compared with patients admitted from 1 March 2019 until 30 June 2019 (control). RESULTS One hundred and seventy-two patients were admitted with right iliac fossa pain (control = 97, COVID-19 = 75). Seven patients had a normal diagnostic laparoscopy in the control group compared with none in the COVID-19 group. The proportion of patients diagnosed with appendicitis was significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic (24% vs. 10%, P = 0.03). They presented later (3 days vs. 1 day, P < 0.01) with higher inflammatory markers (white cell count 15.8 vs. 13.2 × 109 cells per litre, P = 0.02; C-reactive protein 53 vs. 27 mg/L P = 0.04). The majority of patients underwent surgery within 1 day of admission (94% COVID-19 vs. 70% control, P = 0.13). Although there was a trend towards a greater proportion of complicated appendicitis (22% vs. 10%, P = 0.6) during COVID-19, this did not affect outcomes (no morbidity in both groups, length of hospital stay 4 vs. 2.5 days, P = 0.29). CONCLUSION Despite presenting later during COVID-19, paediatric patients with appendicitis were treated expediently with good outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Sheath
- Department of Upper GI SurgeryUniversity Hospital Plymouth NHS TrustPlymouthUnited Kingdom
| | - Mohamed Abdelrahman
- Department of Upper GI SurgeryUniversity Hospital Plymouth NHS TrustPlymouthUnited Kingdom
| | - Andrew MacCormick
- Department of Upper GI SurgeryUniversity Hospital Plymouth NHS TrustPlymouthUnited Kingdom
| | - David Chan
- Department of Upper GI SurgeryUniversity Hospital Plymouth NHS TrustPlymouthUnited Kingdom
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48
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Angeramo CA, Dreifuss NH, Schlottmann F, Rotholtz NA. More Severe Presentations of Acute Appendicitis During COVID-19. J Gastrointest Surg 2021; 25:1902-1904. [PMID: 33469887 PMCID: PMC7815199 DOI: 10.1007/s11605-020-04892-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cristian A Angeramo
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Aleman of Buenos Aires, 1640 Pueyrredon Ave, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Nicolas H Dreifuss
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Aleman of Buenos Aires, 1640 Pueyrredon Ave, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francisco Schlottmann
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Aleman of Buenos Aires, 1640 Pueyrredon Ave, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolas A Rotholtz
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Aleman of Buenos Aires, 1640 Pueyrredon Ave, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Acevedo MJ, Steffey D, Dillon JE, Lee JT, Worhunsky DJ. Concurrent COVID-19 infection in children with acute appendicitis: A report of three cases. Radiol Case Rep 2021; 16:2972-2977. [PMID: 34221211 PMCID: PMC8236335 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2021.06.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Literature describing patients with concomitant COVID-19 infection with acute appendicitis in pediatric patients is growing, and understanding the clinical picture of such patients is relevant in their treatment. We report 3 male children who were surgically treated for acute appendicitis and had concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our first patient was a 12-year-old male who presented with symptoms indicative of appendicitis but no respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19 (eg cough, shortness of breath). Laboratory evaluation revealed leukopenia and an elevated C-reactive protein; imaging was consistent with acute appendicitis and an acute pulmonary viral infection. Though he lacked diffuse peritonitis on physical examination or a leukocytosis, he was found to have perforated appendicitis in the operating room. Our second patient was another 12-year-old male whose suspected appendicitis was confirmed via ultrasound and surgery. He tested positive for COVID-19 1 month prior and he continued to test positive for infection on admission without any associated respiratory symptoms. Our third patient was a 13-year-old patient who also presented with symptomatic acute appendicitis without apparent COVID-19 manifestations. These cases provide further examples of pediatric patients with concomitant acute appendicitis and COVID-19 infection, namely an unusual presentation of perforated appendicitis with asymptomatic COVID-19-related pulmonary infection and the more common acute appendicitis with asymptomatic COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximo J Acevedo
- College of Medicine-NKY campus, University of Kentucky, Albright Health Center 300, 100 Grant Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099, USA
| | - Dylan Steffey
- College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, 800 Rose Street MN 150, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Johanne E Dillon
- Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - James T Lee
- Department of Radiology, Divisions of Abdominal and Emergency Radiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - David J Worhunsky
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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50
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Scheijmans JCG, Borgstein ABJ, Puylaert CAJ, Bom WJ, Bachiri S, van Bodegraven EA, Brandsma ATA, Ter Brugge FM, de Castro SMM, Couvreur R, Franken LC, Gaspersz MP, de Graaff MR, Groenen H, Kleipool SC, Kuypers TJL, Martens MH, Mens DM, Orsini RG, Reneerkens NJMM, Schok T, Sedee WJA, Tavakoli Rad S, Volders JH, Weeder PD, Prins JM, Gietema HA, Stoker J, Gisbertz SS, Besselink MGH, Boermeester MA. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence and severity of acute appendicitis: a comparison between 2019 and 2020. BMC Emerg Med 2021; 21:61. [PMID: 33980150 PMCID: PMC8114672 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-021-00454-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in the number of patients presenting with acute appendicitis was observed. It is unclear whether this caused a shift towards more complicated cases of acute appendicitis. We compared a cohort of patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic with a 2019 control cohort. Methods We retrospectively included consecutive adult patients in 21 hospitals presenting with acute appendicitis in a COVID-19 pandemic cohort (March 15 – April 30, 2020) and a control cohort (March 15 – April 30, 2019). Primary outcome was the proportion of complicated appendicitis. Secondary outcomes included prehospital delay, appendicitis severity, and postoperative complication rates. Results The COVID-19 pandemic cohort comprised 607 patients vs. 642 patients in the control cohort. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a higher proportion of complicated appendicitis was seen (46.9% vs. 38.5%; p = 0.003). More patients had symptoms exceeding 24 h (61.1% vs. 56.2%, respectively, p = 0.048). After correction for prehospital delay, presentation during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was still associated with a higher rate of complicated appendicitis. Patients presenting > 24 h after onset of symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic were older (median 45 vs. 37 years; p = 0.001) and had more postoperative complications (15.3% vs. 6.7%; p = 0.002). Conclusions Although the incidence of acute appendicitis was slightly lower during the first wave of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, more patients presented with a delay and with complicated appendicitis than in a corresponding period in 2019. Spontaneous resolution of mild appendicitis may have contributed to the increased proportion of patients with complicated appendicitis. Late presenting patients were older and experienced more postoperative complications compared to the control cohort. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12873-021-00454-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochem C G Scheijmans
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amstserdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander B J Borgstein
- Department of Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carl A J Puylaert
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter J Bom
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amstserdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Said Bachiri
- Department of Surgery, Noordwest Hospital Group, Alkmaar, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Roy Couvreur
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Lotte C Franken
- Departement of Surgery, Flevo Hospital, Almere, the Netherlands
| | - Marcia P Gaspersz
- Department of Surgery, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Hannah Groenen
- Department of Surgery, Tergooi Hospitals, Hilversum, the Netherlands
| | | | - Toon J L Kuypers
- Department of Surgery, Elisabeth - Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Milou H Martens
- Department of Surgery, Zuyderland Medical Center, Sittard-Geleen/Heerlen, the Netherlands
| | - David M Mens
- Department of Surgery, Amphia Hospital, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - Ricardo G Orsini
- Department of Surgery, Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas Schok
- Department of Surgery, VieCuri Medisch Centrum for Noord-Limburg, Venlo, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter J A Sedee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, St Jansdal Hospital, Harderwijk, the Netherlands
| | | | - José H Volders
- Department of Surgery, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, the Netherlands
| | - Pepijn D Weeder
- Department of Surgery, Spaarne Gasthuis, Haarlem, and Hoofddorp, the Netherlands
| | - Jan M Prins
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity (AI&II), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hester A Gietema
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap Stoker
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Suzanne S Gisbertz
- Department of Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marc G H Besselink
- Department of Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marja A Boermeester
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amstserdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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