Unchanged Faces of Acute Appendicitis: Exploring Presentation and Treatment Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the implementation of novel guidelines for managing appendicitis, prompting an evaluation of its effects on patient presentation and treatment at a district general hospital. Healthcare facilities worldwide have adapted protocols to meet the unique challenges of the pandemic, ensuring safe and efficient care. Our study assesses the pandemic's influence on patient demographics, clinical outcomes, surgical procedures, and adherence to guidelines among individuals undergoing emergency appendicitis surgery. Through this investigation, we aimed to determine whether significant deviations occurred in managing acute appendicitis amidst the pandemic. Methodology Consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with acute appendicitis were included in two cohorts for this retrospective analysis, comparing cases treated during the COVID-19 pandemic period (April to September 2020) with those treated one year prior. All patients underwent standardized assessments upon emergency department admission, including imaging studies and COVID-19 testing. Demographics, laboratory results, surgical details, and outcomes were compared between the pre- and post-pandemic groups, focusing on their overall management. Results The research involved a total of 172 individuals. During the pandemic (April to September 2020), 91 of these participants underwent surgery, which is more than the 81 individuals who had surgery during the same period the previous year (April to September 2019). Preoperative C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in the pandemic group (