The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute appendicitis cases

The COVID-19 outbreak has affected healthcare systems around the world, and has led to changes in the clinical and treatment approaches to all diseases. To reveal the reflection and negative effects of the psychological trauma associated with the COVID-19 pandemic among those with acute appendicitis. A retrospective analysis is made of the data of patients admitted to the emergency departments in our city (Trabzon, Turkey) and taken into operation. Comparative analysis of two patient groups diagnosed with acute appendicitis in our region was included in our study: In the COVID-19 pandemic period (Group 2); and on the same dates a year ago (Group 1). Groups 1 and 2 comprised 231 and 144 patients, respectively (p