Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2020)

SARS COV-2 is a novel coronavirus that first appeared in Wuhan, China, during the second half of 2019. The virus, which causes a severe respiratory illness called COVID-19, has spread rapidly, causing a worldwide pandemic. Healthcare institutions have been overwhelmed by this rapidly spreading dangerous and untreatable disease, causing governmental healthcare policies to shift towards emergency services rather than elective and less urgent treatments. Healthcare services, including in urology, have been prioritized to spare resources, protect people from the disease and limit its spread. Patients who require emergency urologic procedures are tested for COVID-19 prior to intervention, with those found positive undergoing procedures in COVID-19 dedicated facilities. This study evaluated outcomes in COVID-19 positive patients who underwent emergency urologic procedures. Methods: This retrospective case series analyzed outcomes in all COVID-19 positive patients who underwent emergency urologic procedures during the first 3 months of the epidemic in Qatar. Results: During the 3-months period, from 1 March through 31 May 2020, 32 COVID-19 positive patients underwent emergency Urologic procedures. All 32 were men, of mean ± SD age 35.1 ± 10.9 years. Only four patients had cough and sore throat, whereas the other 28 were asymptomatic. Most surgeries were performed under spinal anesthesia lasting around 20 minutes and most patients were discharged to an isolation facility the next day. All patients recovered uneventfully, and none required ICU admission or oxygen support. None of the surgeons or other operating room personnel was infected. Conclusion: International guidelines for patient prioritization and triaging during the COVID -19 pandemic are safe and efficient. Performing emergency urologic procedures on COVID-19 patients under strict infection control conditions is safe for patients and healthcare personnel.