Comparison of the 'Patient Management and Outcomes' of the Pediatric Patient Groups Who Had Appendectomy During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period and the Pre-Pandemic Period in Terms of the Efficiency of the Management Plan: Cross-Sectional Research

Objective: The restrictions in national policies applied in hospital and patient admissions during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic have been observed to have caused delays and additional problems in patient management. The aim of this study was to compare the number and rates of negative appendectomy and complicated appendicitis in patients who underwent appendectomy before and during the pandemic in our clinic. Material and Methods: Patients who presented with abdominal pain to our clinic or were consulted between January 2019 and May 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. The cases were categorized into two groups pre-pandemic (1.1.2019-29.2.2020) and pandemic period (11.3.2020-31.5.2021). In both periods, patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. In addition, patients were grouped as negative, non-complicated, and complicated according to pathology results. Results: 324 patients were hospitalized during the pre-pandemic period due to ''abdominal pain.'' Exploration was done in 184 (M-F: 59%-41%) patients with suspected appendicitis. On histopathological examination, negative appendectomy was found in 16 (8.7%), noncomplicated in 113 (68.48%), and complicated in 55 (31.52%) of the patients who were operated on. Post-pandemic period, 232 patients were hospitalized due to abdominal pain. Exploration was done in 162 (M-F: 59%-41%) patients. On histopathological examination, negative appendectomy was found in 11 (6.8%), non-complicated in 100 (66.23%), and complicated in 51 (33.7%) of the patients who were operated on. Conclusion: According to the results of the data, no adverse effects were observed on complications or misdiagnosis due to the changing patient management regarding inpatient follow-up and surgical intervention in our clinic during the pandemic period.