Frequency of Perforated Appendicitis in Times of COVID-19

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Appendicitis is one of the most common clinical conditions in general surgery. The diagnosis is usually made from clinical examination, imaging (sonography or CT) and laboratory parameters. The laparoscopic appendectomy without drainage has established as the gold standard. Patients usually leave the hospital two days after surgery. In times of corona crisis, patients are unsure to visit the hospital because of fear of infection with SARS-CoV-2. A higher incidence of perforated appendicitis could be an indicator for fear-related delay of going to the hospital. Methods: Investigators performed a retrospective analysis on the incidence of perforated appendicitis in a 10-week interval (mid-March to end of May) of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 to evaluate possible changes in times of corona crisis. Intraoperative findings, procedures, complications and the length of hospital stay were considered.

Detailed Description
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The local ethics committee of the University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany, approved this study (AZ: 324/2020BO2). All patients treated for acute appendicitis in a ten week period from 16th of March to 31th of May in 2018, 2019 and 2020 were considered for the study. Investigators analysed the frequency of perforated appendicitis in the periods indicated. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants. Patient's records as well as database were analyzed for therapy specific items. Definition Perforation: Perforated appendicitis was defined as described perforation in the surgical or pathological results. Delay between onset of symptoms and first presentation at the hospital: Patient's records were proved for self-declaration about the start of symptoms

Official Title
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Incidence of Perforated Appendicitis in Times of Corona Crisis

Conditions
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Perforated Appendicitis, Covid19

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: appendectomy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: patients with acute appendicitis older than 16 years appendectomy in time frame 16th of march to 30th of May in the Years 2018, 2019 and 2020 Exclusion Criteria: patients with acute appendicitis younger than 16 years appendectomy not in the named time frames

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 16 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Appendectomy<br>Patients who required appendectomy for suspected acute appendicitis | Other: appendectomy<br>* Surgical standard treatment for acute appendicitis All patients receive preoperative single-shot antibiosis, usually 2000 mg cefotaxime combined 500 mg metronidazole. Appendectomy is performed usually within 24 h of admission in patients with acute appendicitis. The laparoscopic appendectomy using the 3-trocar technique represents the surgical standard. In uncomplicated or non-perforated appendicitis, drainage is generally not required. Wounds are closed intra-cutaneous with absorbable sutures. Patients without postoperative complications are discharged home two days after surgery.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| rate of perforated appendicitis |  | 10 weeks from 16th of March to 31th of May | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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acute appendicitis, COVID-19