Changes in appendicitis treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 a decrease of emergency consultations and modification in treatment of numerous medical conditions were observed. Aim of this paper was to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence, treatment strategies, severity, length of hospital stay and time of presentation in adults and children with acute appendicitis.

Methods

A systematic literature search of Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed, and eligible studies used to perform a meta-analysis.

Results

46 suitable studies were identified with an overall reduction of appendicitis cases by 20.9% in adults and an increase of 13.4% in children. The rate of open appendectomies increased without statistical significance in both groups (adults: 8.5% v

SUBMITTER: Kohler F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8539829 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature