Frequency of Perforated Appendicitis in Times of COVID-19

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Perforated Appendicitis Appendicitis COVID-19 Cecal Diseases Coronaviridae Infections Coronavirus Infections Covid19 Digestive System Diseases Gastroenteritis Gastrointestinal Diseases Infections Intestinal Diseases Intraabdominal Infections Lung Diseases Nidovirales Infections Pneumonia Pneumonia, Viral RNA Virus Infections Respiratory Tract Diseases Respiratory Tract Infections Virus Diseases

Age range

16 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University Hospital of Tuebingen

Tübingen, 72076, Germany

About this study

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

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

appendectomy

Other

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.

Primary outcomes

rate of perforated appendicitis

Time frame: 10 weeks from 16th of March to 31th of May

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital Tuebingen

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Incidence of Perforated Appendicitis in Times of Corona Crisis

Important dates

Study start: 2020
Primary completion: 2020
Study completion: 2020
First posted: Jul 15, 2020
Registry last updated: Jul 15, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed