Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on appendicitis treatment in Germany—a population-based analysis

• DOI: 10.1007/s00423-021-02081-4
• Publication Date: 2021-01-09T07:03:33Z
• Authors: Franziska Köhler; Laura Acar; Anne van den Berg; Sven Flemming; Carolin Kastner; Sophie Müller; Johannes Diers; Christoph-Thomas ...; Johann F. Lock; Helmut L’hoest; Ursula Marschall; Armin Wiegering
• Keywords: Pandemic; Perforation; Gangrene; Concomitant

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common reasons for emergency medical consultation. While simple can be treated with antibiotics or surgery, complex including gangrene, abscess, and perforation requires appendectomy. During COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, an overall drop room consultations was observed. We therefore aimed to investigate incidence treatment strategies acute during that period. Data insurance holders ICD code "acute appendicitis" OPS procedure appendectomy a major health company Germany were analyzed retrospectively. Groups built, containing means March–June 2017, 2018, 2019, defined as "pre-COVID group" "COVID group," data from March June 2020. by age, sex, comorbidities, length hospital stay, diagnoses, treatment. COVID group simultaneous infection. reduction 12.9% patients presenting noticeable. These results mainly due decreased rates uncomplicated appendicitis, while complicated scarcely affected. Especially females < 40 years, drastic visible. Rates extended surgery did not change. Likewise, complication rate like appendix stump leakage need re-operation differ. In 4.8% had concomitant line visits spring 2020 Germany, significantly lowered number noticeable, whereas Also, findings might hint progressing disease but caused different entities another clue observation. Nevertheless provided does cover outpatient treatment; therefore, no statement observation outpatients made.