Koronavirüs-19 Pandemisi Öncesi ve Sırasında Çocuklarda Akut Apandisit Yönetiminin Karşılaştırmalı Analizi

Abstract

Objective: Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common surgical emergency in pediatric population. Herein, we aimed to compare the incidence and severity of AA before and during the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreak. Materials and Methods: This multicenter study was conducted in three medicine faculty hospitals between the periods of 15 March-30 June 2019 (Group A), and the pandemic period of 15 March-30 June 2020 (Group B). We evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients in each group in terms of age, gender, serum leukocyte, C-reactive protein, radiological imaging use of postoperative peritoneal drain and presence of serious complications. Results: A total of 141 patients were identified and divided into two groups as Group A (n=64) and Group B (n=77). We found higher complication rates in Group B. Fewer patients applied in Group B, but a higher rate of AA was diagnosed. During the COVID-19 period, more patients were admitted with the later stages of the AA and with significant complications. Radiological imaging of patients with appendicitis in Group B showed more severe findings compared to Group A. Conclusion: Higher rate of perforated and complicated appendicitis in the pandemic period was due to misdiagnosis/delayed diagnosis in primary care centers as a result of fear from contagious coronavirus. Although the period of the COVID -19 pandemic brings out difficulties in treatment of patients, comprehensive assessment and physical examination in children with suspected surgical conditions should always be emphasized.