Incidence of complicated appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: Measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) slow surgical processes, and patients are avoiding presenting at emergency departments during the outbreak because of fears of contracting the contagious disease. To analyze the rate of complicated appendicitis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We systematically reviewed the PubMed and SCOPUS databases for articles published from 2000 to 2021. Including the retrospective review data collected from our hospital of patients aged ≥18 years old who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis. The primary outcome of complicated appendicitis incidence was compared between before and during the COVID-19 pandemic period. We performed a meta-analysis using a random-effects model analysis. RESULTS: A total 3559 patients were included for meta-analysis. The overall rate of complicated appendicitis was significantly higher during the pandemic (relative risk, 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–1.89). The time from onset of symptoms to hospitalisation was 0.41 h longer during the pandemic, which was not significantly different (standardized mean difference, 0.41, 95% CI, −0.03 to 1.11). The operating time during the pandemic was significantly shorter than that before the pandemic (83.45 min and 71.65 min, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: There are correlation between the pandemic and severity of acute appendicitis. The higher rate of complicated appendicitis in the pandemic indicates that patients require timely medical attention and appropriate treatment despite fears of contracting disease.