Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Acute Appendicitis in a North Bengal Medical College Hospital

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decline in the number of patients presenting with acute appendicitis was noted. However, it remains uncertain whether this reduction led to an increase in the proportion of complicated appendicitis cases. This study compares a cohort of patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis during the COVID19 pandemic era. Methods: This retrospective, observational cohort study included all patients who presented to North Bengal Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with acute appendicitis between August 2020 to July 2022. The study population was divided into two cohorts: the pandemic period cohort, from August 2020 to July 2021, and the post-pandemic period cohort, from August 2021 to July 2022. Results: We collected data retrospectively from 213 patients: 86 patients presented in the pandemic period and 127 patients presented during the post pandemic period. Female predominance was seen in both cohorts (52.32% and 55.11% respectively). An increase in the number of AA cases was seen during post pandemic period. Among them 23 cases were complicated, 63 cases were uncomplicated during pandemic and 18 cases were complicated & 109 cases were uncomplicated during post pandemic period. Conclusion: A slight increase of patients presenting with acute appendicitis was found during the post pandemic period compared to a pandemic period in 2020.More uncomplicated cases are found during post pandemic period. Medicine Today 2026, Vol.38 (2): 265-269