Open Access

REVIEW

Urological implications of SARS CoV-19

Vipin Tyagi¹, Ajay Kumar Sharma², Mahendra Bhandari³

1 Department of Urology and Robotic Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
2 Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
3 Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA
Address correspondence to Dr. Mahendra Bhandari, Suite 700, 1000 Town Centre, South Field, MI 48075 USA

Canadian Journal of Urology 2020, 27(3), 10205-10212.

Abstract

Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has afflicted > 3.3 million people around the world since December 2019. Though more than 1000 publications have appeared in scientific journals addressing a plethora of questions, there is a considerable hiatus in understanding the behavior and natural history of the virus and its impact on urology. Also, a modified approach is the need of the hour in taking care of patients, as urologists should safeguard their teams, families, and patients.
Material and methods: The authors have used guidelines from the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, and India for making recommendations to help urologists define their own policies that may have to be fine-tuned based on continued and evolving challenges they would encounter and the local resources at their disposal.
Results: COVID-19 does affect the genitourinary system from the kidney to the testis. The authors provide a scientific basis to urologists to help identify patients by remote consultation who are likely to be harmed by coming to the hospital, and not to miss those who need hospitalization for diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. There is an uncompromised need for specific precautions during surgery to safeguard the surgeon, their team, and the patient.
Conclusions: Urological operations during the COVID-19 pandemic should be limited to emergency cases during the acute phase, with an exit strategy planned in a staggered manner based on scientific risk stratification. Telemedicine (e-clinics or virtual clinics) would help achieve the goal of risk stratification.

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Keywords

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