Suspected appendicitis and COVID-19, a change in investigation and management-a multicentre cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has reformed global healthcare delivery. On 25 March 2020, Intercollegiate guidelines were published in the UK to promote safe surgical provision during the COVID-19 outbreak advocating non-operative management or avoidance of laparoscopy when surgery is essential. The effects of this on the investigation and management of appendicitis remain unknown.

Methods

We performed a multicentre, prospective, observational study from the start of the new guidelines to the 6th of May 2020. We included all patients referred to surgical teams with suspected appendicitis. A recent historical cohort was identified for comparison. The primary outcome was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of non-operative management in appendicitis. Secondary outcom

SUBMITTER: English W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7652586 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature