How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the diagnosis of rectus sheath hematoma and its follow-up?
BACKGROUND: There has been an increased incidence of rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) due to chronic cough attacks and anti-coagulant therapy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims to determine, in which parameters differ before and during the diagnosis of RSH in COVID-19 patients and what may be expected during diagnosis and follow-up.METHODS: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with RSH were evaluated retrospectively between March 2016 and March 2021. The COVID-19 group comprised 11 patients. Various information including patient history and time of discharge/death were retrieved and compared between the experimental groups.RESULTS: The rates of hypotension on admission (p=0.011) and the rates of defense and rebound (p=0.030) were higher in the patients with COVID-19 than in those without. Although there was no difference in terms of bleeding width, there was a greater decrease in the hemoglobin levels (p=0.009) in the COVID-19 patients and the need for erythrocyte suspension (p=0.040) increased significantly in that group.CONCLUSION: The present study constitutes the first evaluation of RSH in COVID-19 patients. The clinical situation is serious due to high rates of hypotension, defense or rebound, and decreases in hemoglobin levels in COVID-19 patients. This makes the clinical management of RSH more difficult, resulting in longer hospitalization. Despite these difficulties, COVID-19 infection does not increase morbidity or mortality.
- Journal
- ULUSAL TRAVMA VE ACIL CERRAHI DERGISI-TURKISH JOURNAL OF TRAUMA & EMERGENCY SURGERY
- Year
- 2022
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1468-1474
- ISSN
- 1306-696X
- eISSN
- 1307-7945
- DOI
- 10.14744/tjtes.2022.43755
- WoS UID
- WOS:000870202200015