Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pediatric population with acute appendicitis: Experience at a general, tertiary care hospital

• DOI: 10.5546/aap.2021.eng.224
• Publication Date: 2021-07-05T18:05:51Z
• Authors: Carolina Percul; Marion Costa Cruz; Alejandra Meza-Co...; Germán González; Luciana Lerendegui; María Malzone; Daniel Liberto; Pablo Lobos; Benjamín Imach; Juan Moldes; Julián Llera
• Keywords: Pandemic; Acute abdomen; Surgical emergency

Introduction.Appendicitis is the leading cause of surgical acute abdomen in pediatrics.During COVID-19 pandemic, management strategies were reassessed and number visits to emergency department dropped down, which may be associated with delayed diagnoses complications.The objective this study was analyze impact pandemic on children appendicitis.Methods.Analytical, retrospective, comparative pediatric patients appendicitis 5 months lockdown versus same period previous year.Incidence, clinical data, stage, approach, complications analyzed.Results.The total cases went down by 25 % (n = 67 n 50 2020).The mean time consultation 24 hours both periods (p 0.989).The incidence peritonitis 44 22) 37 0.22) 2019.No differences observed terms stage based surgery reports.In 2019, all surgeries laparoscopic; while 2020, only 42 21).The 6 7.5 0.75).One patient positive. Conclusion.Although our population not delayed.The greater reformulation strategies, laparoscopic approach avoided reduce virus transmission.