Clinical Outcomes of Ureter Stone Treatment Delayed Due To The Sars-Cov-2 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: Our aim was to assess the outcomes for ureter stones with delayed treatment due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Data from patients with ureterorenoscopy (URS) performed due to ureter stones were retrospectively assessed in the period during the pandemic of 1-31 January 2021 and the period before the pandemic of 1-31 January 2020. On first attendance, patients were assessed for emergency drainage requirements, ureter JJ stent requirement, post-op stone-free rate, re-URS requirements, and the presence of complications rated Clavien-2 and above. Results: The study included 102 patients in total, 38 after and 64 before the pandemic. The post-pandemic group had a significantly higher impacted stone rate (15.8%) compared to the pre-pandemic group (3.1%) (p = 0.021). Seven patients (18.4%) in the first group and two patients (3.1%) in the second required emergency drainage (p = 0.008). Further, ureteral JJ stent requirements were significantly higher in the first group (71%) than in the second group (29.7%) (p<0.001). The re-URS requirements in the first group were significantly higher (18.4% vs 4.7%, p = 0.024), and in the postoperative period, stage 2 and higher complications developed in 10 patients in the first group (26.3%) and 3 patients in the second (4.7%) (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Ureter stones with delayed treatment linked to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic caused increased complications, permanent morbidity, and more difficult treatment processes.