Table 2.
Operative data of patients who underwent appendectomy
| Variables | Pre-COVID period 1131 patients | COVID period 647 patients | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | |||
| Egypt | 636 (70.5%) | 266 (29.5%) | 0.0001 |
| Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | 495 (56.5%) | 381 (43.5%) | |
| Mean Time from presentation to surgery (hours) | 16.97 ± 10.53 | 19.9 ± 13.79 | 0.0001 |
| Surgery within 24 h (early presentation) | 1075 (95%) | 533 (82.4%%) | |
| Surgery 24–72 (borderline presentation) | 30 (2.7%) | 65 (10%) | 0.0001 |
| Surgery after > 72 h (delayed presentation) | 26 (2.3%) | 49 (7.6%) | 0.0001 |
| Presentation | |||
| Non-complicated appendicitis | 1018 (90%) | 539(83.3%) | |
| Complicated appendicitis | 0.02 | ||
| Total | 113 (10%) | 108 (16.7%) | |
| Peritoneal abscess | 33 (2.9%) | 37 (5.7%) | |
| Peritonitis | 75 (6.6%) | 64 (9.9%) | |
| Appendicular inflammatory Mass | 5 (0.44%) | 7 (10.8%) | |
| Operative approach of appendicectomy | |||
| Open | 639 (56.5%) | 380 (58.7%) | |
| Laparoscopic | 492 (43.5%) | 267 (41.3%) | 0.35 |
| Perforated appendix | 95 (8.4%) | 73 (11.3) | 0.046 |
| Site of perforation | |||
| Tip | 68 | 55 | 0.11 |
| Basal | 27 | 18 | 0.11 |
| Appendicular stump closure | |||
| Endoloop | 392 (34.6%) | 190 (29.4%) | 0.0001 |
| Stapled | 76 (6.7%) | 49 (7.6%) | |
| Intracorporeal ligation | 42 (3.7%) | 33 (5.1%) | |
| Open suture ligation | 621 (54.9%) | 375 (58%) | |
| Drain at time of surgery | 136 (12%) | 114 (17.6%) | 0.001 |
| Mean operative time (minutes) | 46.75 ± 8.34 (30–85) | 47.38 ± 9.37 (30–90) | 0.14 |