Delayed diagnosis and subsequently increased severity of acute appendicitis (compatible with clinical-pathologic grounds) during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational case-control study
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...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Gastroenterology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-021-02024-9 |
| _version_ | 1798026535343489024 |
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| author | Amitai Bickel Samer Ganam Ibrahim Abu Shakra Inbal Farkash Rola Francis Nour Karra Fahed Merei Isaac Cohen Eli Kakiashvili |
| author_facet | Amitai Bickel Samer Ganam Ibrahim Abu Shakra Inbal Farkash Rola Francis Nour Karra Fahed Merei Isaac Cohen Eli Kakiashvili |
| author_sort | Amitai Bickel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T18:38:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d06ee29cdf2c4d8b800372bfefe77e72 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-230X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T18:38:02Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Gastroenterology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d06ee29cdf2c4d8b800372bfefe77e722022-12-22T04:09:13ZengBMCBMC Gastroenterology1471-230X2022-01-012211510.1186/s12876-021-02024-9Delayed diagnosis and subsequently increased severity of acute appendicitis (compatible with clinical-pathologic grounds) during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational case-control studyAmitai Bickel0Samer Ganam1Ibrahim Abu Shakra2Inbal Farkash3Rola Francis4Nour Karra5Fahed Merei6Isaac Cohen7Eli Kakiashvili8Department of Surgery A, Galilee Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery A, Galilee Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery A, Galilee Medical CenterDepartment of Pathology, Galilee Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery A, Galilee Medical CenterDepartment of Internal Medicine E, The Chaim Sheba Medical CentreDepartment of Surgery A, Galilee Medical CenterDepartment of Pathology, Galilee Medical CenterDepartment of Surgery A, Galilee Medical CenterAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-021-02024-9Laparoscopic appendectomyCOVID-19Acute appendicitis |
| spellingShingle | Amitai Bickel Samer Ganam Ibrahim Abu Shakra Inbal Farkash Rola Francis Nour Karra Fahed Merei Isaac Cohen Eli Kakiashvili Delayed diagnosis and subsequently increased severity of acute appendicitis (compatible with clinical-pathologic grounds) during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational case-control study BMC Gastroenterology Laparoscopic appendectomy COVID-19 Acute appendicitis |
| title | Delayed diagnosis and subsequently increased severity of acute appendicitis (compatible with clinical-pathologic grounds) during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational case-control study |
| title_full | Delayed diagnosis and subsequently increased severity of acute appendicitis (compatible with clinical-pathologic grounds) during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational case-control study |
| title_fullStr | Delayed diagnosis and subsequently increased severity of acute appendicitis (compatible with clinical-pathologic grounds) during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational case-control study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Delayed diagnosis and subsequently increased severity of acute appendicitis (compatible with clinical-pathologic grounds) during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational case-control study |
| title_short | Delayed diagnosis and subsequently increased severity of acute appendicitis (compatible with clinical-pathologic grounds) during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational case-control study |
| title_sort | delayed diagnosis and subsequently increased severity of acute appendicitis compatible with clinical pathologic grounds during the covid 19 pandemic an observational case control study |
| topic | Laparoscopic appendectomy COVID-19 Acute appendicitis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-021-02024-9 |
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