The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on inguinal hernia emergencies

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 has spread all over the world and caused significant changes in healthcare practices. This is why many expert associations have published new guidelines on COVID-19 management. This study aims to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic has an effect on Inguinal hernia (IH) emergencies. Material and Method: A total of 63 patients diagnosed with strangulated/incarcerated inguinal hernia who presented to the emergency surgery department of our hospital between April 2020 and January 2021 during the pandemic (DP) and between April 2019 and January 2020 before the pandemic (BP) were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Results:There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in terms of demographic characteristics. The comparison of the number of admissions, admission time, anesthesia type, hospital stay, postoperative complications, ASA score, hernia, WBC, and CRP averages showed no statistically significant difference between the groups. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of distributions of hernia types, hernia repair types, mesh use, and additional resection requirement. The comparison of the patients who underwent organ resection by admission time in both groups showed no statistically significant difference. It was observed that the number of patients who required small bowel resection were especially high on the 4th day. In DP, small bowel resection was performed on 4 (66.7%) patients and omentectomy was performed in 2 (33.3%) patients. In BP, only one right hemicolectomy was performed. The comparison of the patients with an admission time of 4th day revealed a statistically significant difference (p=0.03). Conclusion: We observed that morbidity increased as the admission time was delayed. Anticipating that the fear of COVID-19 infection will hold back the emergency response during the pandemic period, patients should be informed not to delay early diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords

• Covid -19 pandemic
• emergency
• inguinal hernia

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