Managing acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jiaxing, China
Yuan Zhou, Lu-Sha Cen
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic and has had a profound impact on our routine surgical activities. Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency worldwide. Therefore, it is highly essential to assess the influence the pandemic has on acute appendicitis. AIM: To assess the efficacy of the management of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 90 patients who presented with acute appendicitis during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Jiaxing, China. Clinical data regarding appendectomies patients were also collected for the corresponding time frame from 2019. Preoperative management, intraoperative protective measures, and postoperative management were conducted. RESULTS: < 0.05). Online consultation after discharge was selected in 59 cases (65.6%). No perioperative infection with COVID-19 or long-term postoperative complications were found. CONCLUSION: The management of acute appendicitis from Jiaxing effectively reduced the influence of the pandemic and minimized the risk of nosocomial infection.