Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38807152›Full record

ArticleBMC surgery2024

Navigating appendicitis care during the Covid-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study in China.

Guang Fu, Zishun Xu, Shao Zhang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC surgery, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Guang FuThe First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
Zishun XuThe First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
Shao ZhangThe First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China. omegai@163.com.

Funding

Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province 2023JJ40581
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 initiated a global transformation in healthcare practices, particularly with respect to hospital management. PCR testing mandates for medical treatment seekers were introduced to mitigate virus transmission.

aimsThis study examines the impact of these changes on the management of patients with appendicitis.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records for 748 patients diagnosed with appendicitis who underwent surgery at a tertiary care hospital during two distinct periods, the pre-pandemic year 2019 and the post-pandemic year 2021. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory data, surgical outcomes, and hospital stay duration were assessed.

resultsWhile no significant differences were observed in the general characteristics of patients between the two groups, the time from hospital visit to operation increased significantly during the pandemic. Unexpectedly, delayed surgical intervention was associated with shorter hospital stays but did not directly impact complication rates. There was no discernible variation in the type of surgery or surgical timing based on symptom onset. The pandemic also prompted an increase in appendicitis cases, potentially related to coronavirus protein expression within the appendix.

conclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the landscape of appendicitis management. This study underscores the complex interplay of factors, including changes in hospital protocols, patient concerns, and surgical timing. Further research is needed to explore the potential link between COVID-19 and appendicitis. These insights are valuable for informing healthcare practices during and beyond the pandemic.

Indexed as

AppendectomyAppendicitisCOVID-19Length of StayAdultAgedChinaFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPandemicsRetrospective StudiesSARS-CoV-2Time-to-TreatmentYoung AdultAppendectomyAppendicitisCOVID-19Delayed surgeryPandemic

Identifiers

PMID38807152
PMCPMC11131191

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.