Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on healthcare systems worldwide, including the treatment of patients with upper urinary tract stones. Over the course of the pandemic, operative interventions such as ureterolithotripsy, retrograde intrarenal surgery, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy have been affected due to the need to prioritize resources to treat patients with COVID-19.
Aim
The article aims at summarizing and comparing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of people with upper urinary tract calculi who were patients at the Clinic of Urology at St. Marina University Hospital in Varna during two periods: 2018–2019 and 2020–2021.
Materials and methods
The operative protocols and journals of all patients treated by URS, RIRS, and PCNL at the Clinic of Urology at St. Marina University Hospital in Varna for the respective two periods were processed. Articles on the subject published in recent years were studied.
Results
The analysis of data from our experience shows a decrease of nearly 39% in the number of operative interventions for upper urinary tract stones in the second period. According to the literature we have researched, a similar decline is observed in other developed European countries.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a reduction in the number of PCNL, RIRS, and URS lithotripsy procedures performed in order to prevent viral spread during hospitalization.
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Figure 3.1: Treatment algorithm for ureteral stones (if active stone removal is indicated) - The European Association of Urology (EAU) Urolithiasis Guidelines Panel
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