Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common surgical emergencies in children. Some reports have suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic was responsible for delays in the diagnostic and proper treatment of AA in pediatric patients. The aim of our study was to perform a retrospective study of cases of AA in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection treated in a highly endemic area for COVID-19 in Romania during a 2-year time interval. The SARS-CoV-2 infection had no unfavorable impact on children who presented with AA. Further data analysis should clarify the overall influence of COVID-19 on the management of surgical pediatric patients in such endemic areas.

Rationale: The COVID-19 pandemic had a dramatic effect on various health systems in terms of admissions and outcomes, including pediatric surgery activity. The aim of this paper was to analyze the outcome of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients admitted to our department during the regional COVID-19 pandemic in North-Eastern Romania. We also evaluated the changes generated in our daily practice by the COVID-19 pandemic and the dynamic response to this major challenge. Patient concerns: The patients presented with symptoms related to their primary diagnosis: local pain and deformity in case of fractures; pain, swelling, and erythema in case of abscess; pain and decreased range of motion (ROM) in case of intolerance to metal implants. Other specific concerns are mentioned on an individual basis. Diagnoses: Eighteen patients (of which 4 had acute appendicitis and were included in a previous article), representing 1.18% of the total number of admissions, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. There were 4 patients with fractures, 3 patients with soft tissue abscess or cellulitis, 2 patients with intolerance to metal implants, 1 patient with facial burn, 1 patient with thumb laceration, 1 patient with liver trauma, 1 patient with undescende testis, and 1 patient with symptomatic inguinal hernia, respectively. Boys represented 11/ 14 (78.57%) of the cases. The mean age of the patients was 9 years 11 months. There were only mild COVID-19 cases. Interventions: Surgery was performed in 13/ 14 (95.71%) of cases. The fractures were treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF); incision and drainage (I & D) were performed in case of soft tissue abscess; the metal implants were removed in case of local intolerance. Other conditions (burn, inguinal hernia, undescended testis, skin laceration) were treated specifically. Only 1 patient with liver laceration was treated conservatively under close hemodynamic monitoring. Outcomes: The mean length of stay (LoS) was 2.71 days. The infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus had no deleterious effect on the surgical outcome among the 14 patients included in the study. There were no surgical complications during admission and no patient returned for late complications related to their primary disease or SARS-CoV-2 infection. Lessons: The SARS-CoV-2 infection had no significant influence on the outcome of pediatric surgical cases included in the study. We noticed a significant (31.54%) decrease in the number of admissions compared to the previous 2-year interval before the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast and adequate adjustment of the daily activity imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic was feasible and may be used in the future should similar epidemiological emergencies occur.

Rationale: Sporadic cases of acute appendicitis (AA) in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection were still recorded at the end of COVID-19 pandemics. We consider that analyses of clinical courses and outcomes is useful to improve the clinical management of such cases in the setting of a general hospital. Patient concerns: Patient #1 was a 14-year-old girl who presented with nausea, right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain, myalgia, ad low-grade fever for 24 hours. Patient #2 was a 7-year-old boy with a 3-day history of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and fever lasting for 4 days. Patient # 3 was a 16-year-old girl RLQ pain, nausea and vomiting, and fever lasting for 7 days. Diagnoses: The patients were diagnosed with acute appendicitis (AA) based on the clinical picture, labs and abdominal ultrasound (US) findings. SARS-CoV- 2 infection was diagnosed using rapid antigen test performed at admission. Interventions: The patients were started on i.v. Ceftriaxone and Metronidazole, antalgics and i.v. fluids at admission. Appendectomy was performed the day after admission in patients # 1 and #2, and after 48 hours in patient #3. Outcomes: Patient #1 had no complications and was discharged on postoperative day (POD) #5. Patient #2 developed a cecal fistula on POD #4 which was treated conservatively with Ertapenem, i.v. fluids, and local placement of colostomy bag. The fistula closed spontaneously on POD #12. He was discharged on POD #17. Patient #3 developed a postoperative abscess on POD # 6 and required laparoscopic surgical drainage of the abscess. She was discharged after another 6 days (POD #12). No patient required ICU admission, steroids, or supplemental O₂ use during their hospitalization. There were no late complications or readmissions in these patients. Lessons: We consider that AA in these SARS-CoV-2 positive children had a similar course with SARS-CoV-2 negative cases. Compliance to previously established COVID-19 protocols was useful to improve the outcome. The parents should bring the sick child early to the hospital in order to avoid complications related to delayed presentation and not to SARS-CoV-2 infection itself.