EP.WE.641Spectrum of Right Iliac Fossa Pain Presentation and Management During the First COVID-19 Lockdown: A Single Institution Experience

Aims Acute surgical presentations and management approaches have witnessed a changing pattern occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic and attendant lockdown. We report the spectrum of right iliac fossa (RIF) pain referrals and management trend within an acute surgical unit before and during the National lockdown. Methods A retrospective review of all patients referred to the acute surgical unit with RIF pain before and during first National lockdown was undertaken. Patients managed during these periods were segregated into Pre-Lockdown (January-2020) and Lockdown (April/May-2020) cohorts. Relevant data were obtained from patients’ electronic medical records and main outcome measures compared between both arms were definitive diagnosis, rate of acute appendicitis, diagnostic imaging modality utilised, management approach and post-operative 30-day complications. Results RIF pain referrals were fewer (17% vs. 23%, P = 0.045) but more likely to be related to acute appendicitis during the lockdown (52% vs. 28%, P = 0.002). However, the risk of presenting with complicated appendicitis did not alter significantly (26% vs. 19%, RR = 1.34, P = 0.56). Diagnostic imaging was increasingly deployed (for RIF pain: 91% vs. 74%, P = 0.07; for appendicitis: 77% vs. 42%, P = 0.007) especially computerised tomography scan (45% vs. 31%). Increased adoption of conservative approach in the management of acute appendicitis was significant (61% vs 23%, RR 2.65, P = 0.01) although other outcomes such as length of stay, post-operative complication and 30-day re-presentation rates were comparable to pre-lockdown phase. Conclusion Fewer RIF pain but more likelihood of acute appendicitis, increased use of radiological imaging and conservative approach to management reflect an evolving pattern during the lockdown phase.