Frequency of Perforated Appendicitis in Times of COVID-19
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.
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
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