Managing acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jiaxing, China

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic and has had a profound impact on our routine surgical activities. Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency worldwide. Therefore, it is highly essential to assess the influence the pandemic has on acute appendicitis. AIM To assess the efficacy of the management of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 90 patients who presented with acute appendicitis during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Jiaxing, China. Clinical data regarding appendectomies patients were also collected for the corresponding time frame from 2019. Preoperative management, intraoperative protective measures, and postoperative management were conducted. RESULTS After screening, six patients were identified as unqualified due to fever and were then referred to the COVID-19 expert group. The results of the nucleic acid test were negative. Of the 76 patients enrolled in the simple group, nine patients received medication therapy, and all others underwent surgery. From this same group, 66 patients were diagnosed with suppurative appendicitis, and one patient was diagnosed with perforated appendicitis after surgery. There were 14 patients in the complex group, for which the postoperative diagnosis indicated perforated appendicitis. The proportion of men with perforated appendicitis was higher than that in 2019 (P < 0.05). The chief complaint duration for perforated appendicitis patients in 2020 was longer than that in 2019 (P < 0.05). The routine blood test showed that white blood cell counts and neutrophil ratios were higher in perforated appendicitis patients in 2020 than in 2019 (P < 0.05). The ratio of open appendectomies to the amount of mean blood loss during surgery was greater in 2020 than in 2019 (P < 0.05). Online consultation after discharge was selected in 59 cases (65.6%). No perioperative infection with COVID-19 or long-term postoperative complications were found. CONCLUSION The management of acute appendicitis from Jiaxing effectively reduced the influence of the pandemic and minimized the risk of nosocomial infection.