Delayed diagnosis and subsequently increased severity of acute appendicitis (compatible with clinical-pathologic grounds) during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational case-control study

Amitai Bickel, Samer Ganam, Ibrahim Abu Shakra, Inbal Farkash, Rola Francis, Nour Karra, Fahed Merei, Isaac Cohen, Eli Kakiashvili

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: During a global crisis like the current COVID-19 pandemic, delayed admission to hospital in cases of emergent medical illness may lead to serious adverse consequences. We aimed to determine whether such delayed admission affected the severity of an inflammatory process regarding acute appendicitis, and its convalescence. Methods: In a retrospective observational cohort case-control study, we analyzed the medical data of 60 patients who were emergently and consecutively admitted to our hospital due to acute appendicitis as established by clinical presentation and imaging modalities, during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic (our study group). We matched a statistically control group consisting of 97 patients who were admitted during a previous 12-month period for the same etiology. All underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. The main study parameters included intraoperative findings (validated by histopathology), duration of abdominal pain prior to admission, hospital stay and postoperative convalescence (reflecting the consequences of delay in diagnosis and surgery). Results: The mean duration of abdominal pain until surgery was significantly longer in the study group. The rate of advanced appendicitis (suppurative and gangrenous appendicitis as well as peri-appendicular abscess) was greater in the study than in the control group (38.3 vs. 21.6%, 23.3 vs. 16.5%, and 5 vs. 1% respectively), as well as mean hospital stay. Conclusions: A global crisis like the current viral pandemic may significantly affect emergent admissions to hospital (as in case of acute appendicitis), leading to delayed surgical interventions and its consequences.

Original languageEnglish
Article number19
JournalBMC Gastroenterology
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 11 Jan 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).

Keywords

  • Acute appendicitis
  • COVID-19
  • Laparoscopic appendectomy

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