Changes in Ureteral Stone Treatment During COVID-19: A Single-Center Emergency Department Study

We evaluated the hospitalization rate, length of stay, and management of patients with ureteric lithiasis admitted under emergency conditions at a single institution during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A retrospective study was conducted on 219 patients with ureteral lithiasis, divided into pre-COVID-19 (1.10.2019-29.02.2020) and COVID-19 groups (1.10.2020-29.02.2021). The study examined patient and stone characteristics, hospitalization duration, surgical interventions, creatinine levels, and associated urinary tract infections. It also evaluated the complications related to delayed treatment during the pandemic.

The study found a 73.41% reduction in admissions for obstructive ureteral lithiasis during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Notable differences were observed in age (61.5 vs 46 years, p=0.000), gender (p=0.046), stone laterality (p=0.024), location (p=0.002), serum creatinine levels (1.59 vs 1.09 mg/dL, p=0.000), and urine cultures (45.65% vs 23.12%, p=0.002). During the pandemic period, the rate of primary stone extraction procedures decreased (32.6% vs 59%, p<0.001), while operative time (52.89 vs 39.84 minutes, p<0.001) and hospital stay significantly increased (13.09 vs 3.76 days, p<0.001).

The pandemic resulted in fewer hospitalizations for ureteral lithiasis and an increase in complications, likely due to reduced access to medical care and a greater tendency for upper urinary tract drainage.