A Novel Deep Learning Model for Drug-drug Interactions.

INTRODUCTION: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can lead to adverse events and compromised treatment efficacy that emphasize the need for accurate prediction and understanding of these interactions. METHODS: In this paper, we propose a novel approach for DDI prediction using two separate message-passing neural network (MPNN) models, each focused on one drug in a pair. By capturing the unique characteristics of each drug and their interactions, the proposed method aims to improve the accuracy of DDI prediction. The outputs of the individual MPNN models combine to integrate the information from both drugs and their molecular features. Evaluating the proposed method on a comprehensive dataset, we demonstrate its superior performance with an accuracy of 0.90, an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.99, and an F1-score of 0.80. These results highlight the effectiveness of the proposed approach in accurately identifying potential drugdrug interactions. RESULTS: The use of two separate MPNN models offers a flexible framework for capturing drug characteristics and interactions, contributing to our understanding of DDIs. The findings of this study have significant implications for patient safety and personalized medicine, with the potential to optimize treatment outcomes by preventing adverse events. CONCLUSION: Further research and validation on larger datasets and real-world scenarios are necessary to explore the generalizability and practicality of this approach.

Comprehensive Review on Drug-target Interaction Prediction - Latest Developments and Overview.

Drug-target interactions (DTIs) are an important part of the drug development process. When the drug (a chemical molecule) binds to a target (proteins or nucleic acids), it modulates the biological behavior/function of the target, returning it to its normal state. Predicting DTIs plays a vital role in the drug discovery (DD) process as it has the potential to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. However, DTI prediction poses significant challenges and expenses due to the time-consuming and costly nature of experimental assays. As a result, researchers have increased their efforts to identify the association between medications and targets in the hopes of speeding up drug development and shortening the time to market. This paper provides a detailed discussion of the initial stage in drug discovery, namely drug-target interactions. It focuses on exploring the application of machine learning methods within this step. Additionally, we aim to conduct a comprehensive review of relevant papers and databases utilized in this field. Drug target interaction prediction covers a wide range of applications: drug discovery, prediction of adverse effects and drug repositioning. The prediction of drugtarget interactions can be categorized into three main computational methods: docking simulation approaches, ligand-based methods, and machine-learning techniques.

Evaluation of risk factors for recurrent renal stone formation among Saudi Arabian patients: Comparison with first renal stone episode.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the baseline characteristics, and risk factors of renal stone recurrence among Saudi Arabian patients after successful primary stone treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional comparative study, we reviewed the medical records of patients who presented consecutively with a first renal stone episode from 2015 to 2021 and were followed-up by mail questionnaire, telephone interviews, and/or outpatient clinic visit. We included patients who achieved stone-free status after primary treatment. Patients were divided into two groups: group I (patients with first episode renal stone) and group Ⅱ (patients who developed renal stone recurrence). The study outcomes were to compare the demographics of both groups and to evaluate the risk factors of renal stone recurrence after successful primary treatment. We used Student's t-test, Mann Whitney test or chi-square (x2) to compare variables between groups. Cox regression analyses were used to examine the predictors. RESULTS: We investigated 1260 participants (820 males and 440 females). Of this number, 877 (69.6%) didn't develop renal stone recurrence and 383 (30.4%) had recurrence. Primary treatments were percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), surgery and medical treatment in 22.5%, 34.7%, 26.5%, 10.3%, and 6%, respectively. After primary treatment, 970 (77%) and 1011 (80.2%) of patients didn't have either stone chemical analysis or metabolic work-up, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender (OR: 1.686; 95% CI, 1.216-2.337), hypertension (OR: 2.342; 95% CI, 1.439-3.812), primary hyperparathyroidism (OR: 2.806; 95% CI, 1.510-5.215), low fluid intake (OR: 28.398; 95% CI, 18.158-44.403) and high daily protein intake (OR: 10.058; 95% CI, 6.400-15.807) were predictors of renal stone recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Male gender, hypertension, primary hyperparathyroidism, low fluid intake and high daily protein intake increase the risk of renal stone recurrence among Saudi Arabian patients.

Automating Drug Discovery using Machine Learning.

Drug discovery and development have been sped up because of the advances in computational science. In both industry and academics, artificial intelligence (AI) has been widely used. Machine learning (ML), an important component of AI, has been used in a variety of domains, including data production and analytics. One area that stands to gain significantly from this achievement of machine learning is drug discovery. The process of bringing a new drug to market is complicated and time-consuming. Traditional drug research takes a long time, costs a lot of money, and has a high failure rate. Scientists test millions of compounds, but only a small number make it to preclinical or clinical testing. It is crucial to embrace innovation, especially automated technologies, to lessen the complexity involved in drug research and avoid the high cost and lengthy process of bringing a medicine to the market. A rapidly developing field, a branch of artificial intelligence called machine learning (ML), is being used by numerous pharmaceutical businesses. Automating repetitive data processing and analysis processes can be achieved by incorporating ML methods into the drug development process. ML techniques can be used at numerous stages of the drug discovery process. In this study, we will discuss the steps of drug discovery and methods of machine learning that can be applied in these steps, as well as give an overview of each of the research works in this field.

External validation of yonsei nomogram predicting chronic kidney disease development after partial nephrectomy: An international, multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To externally validate Yonsei nomogram. METHODS: From 2000 through 2018, 3526 consecutive patients underwent on-clamp PN for cT1 renal masses at 23 centers were included. All patients had two kidneys, preoperative eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2, and a minimum follow-up of 12 months. New-onset CKD was defined as upgrading from CKD stage I or II into CKD stage ≥III. We obtained the CKD-free progression probabilities at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years for all patients by applying the nomogram found at https://eservices.ksmc.med.sa/ckd/. Thereafter, external validation of Yonsei nomogram for estimating new-onset CKD stage ≥III was assessed by calibration and discrimination analysis. RESULTS AND LIMITATION: Median values of patients' age, tumor size, eGFR and follow-up period were 47 years (IQR: 47-62), 3.3 cm (IQR: 2.5-4.2), 90.5 ml/min/1.73 m2 (IQR: 82.8-98), and 47 months (IQR: 27-65), respectively. A total of 683 patients (19.4%) developed new-onset CKD. The 5-year CKD-free progression rate was 77.9%. Yonsei nomogram demonstrated an AUC of 0.69, 0.72, 0.77, and 0.78 for the prediction of CKD stage ≥III at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The calibration plots at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years showed that the model was well calibrated with calibration slope values of 0.77, 0.83, 0.76, and 0.75, respectively. Retrospective database collection is a limitation of our study. CONCLUSIONS: The largest external validation of Yonsei nomogram showed good calibration properties. The nomogram can provide an accurate estimate of the individual risk of CKD-free progression on long-term follow-up.

Warm ischemia time length during on-clamp partial nephrectomy: does it really matter?

BACKGROUND: The impact of warm ischemia time (WIT) on renal functional recovery remains controversial. We examined the length of WIT>30 min on the long-term renal function following on-clamp partial nephrectomy (PN). METHODS: Data from 23 centers for patients undergoing on-clamp PN between 2000 and 2018 were analyzed. We included patients with two kidneys, single tumor, cT1, minimum 1-year follow-up, and preoperative eGFR≥60 mL/min/1.73m2. Patients were divided into two groups according to WIT length: group I "WIT≤30 min" and group II "WIT>30 min." A propensity-score matched analysis (1:1 match) was performed to eliminate potential confounding factors between groups. We compared eGFR values, eGFR (%) preservation, eGFR decline, events of chronic kidney disease (CKD) upgrading, and CKD-free progression rates between both groups. Cox regression analysis evaluated WIT impact on upgrading of CKD stages. RESULTS: The primary cohort consisted of 3526 patients: group I (N.=2868) and group II (N.=658). After matching the final cohort consisted of 344 patients in each group. At last follow-up, there were no significant differences in median eGFR values at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years (P>0.05) between the matched groups. In addition, the median eGFR (%) preservation and absolute eGFR change were similar (89% in group I vs. 87% in group II, P=0.638) and (-10 in group I vs. -11 in group II, P=0.577), respectively. The 5 years new-onset CKD-free progression rates were comparable in the non-matched groups (79% in group I vs. 81% in group II, log-rank, P=0.763) and the matched groups (78.8% in group I vs. 76.3% in group II, log-rank, P=0.905). Univariable Cox regression analysis showed that WIT>30 min was not a predictor of overall CKD upgrading (HR:0.953, 95%CI 0.829-1.094, P=0.764) nor upgrading into CKD stage ≥III (HR:0.972, 95%CI 0.805-1.173, P=0.764). Retrospective design is a limitation of our study. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis based on a large multicenter international cohort study suggests that WIT length during PN has no effect on the long-term renal function outcomes in patients having two kidneys and preoperative eGFR≥60 mL/min/1.73m2.

Pediatric urology surgical practice in the time of COVID-19: Results from tertiary Saudi Arabia hospitals.

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on pediatric urology practice in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). METHODS: Data of 10 tertiary hospitals in KSA were retrospectively analyzed. Data of outpatient department (OPD) visits and pediatric urology surgical procedures from January 1, 2019, to April 30, 2019, and from January 1, 2020, to April 30, 2020, were extracted. The primary outcome was to compare OPD visits and pediatric urology workload in the first third of 2020 versus 2019, where there was no curfew. The secondary outcome was to compare the same variables during the full curfew time, i.e., April 2020 versus April 2019. RESULTS: The number of OPD visits was lower in the first third of 2020 (7390 vs. 10,379 in 2019 P < 0.001). OPD visits in April 2020 were 78.6% lower than in April 2019, and teleclinics represented 850 (94.3%). Elective procedures in the first third of 2020 were 688, with a reduction rate of 34.3% compared to the same period of 2019 (P < 0.001). In April 2020, there were 18 elective surgeries, with a 91.4% decrease than in April 2019. Ureteric reimplantation, hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and circumcision stopped, while pyeloplasty (n = 14) and urolithiasis (n = 4) procedures had declined by 50% and 76.5%, respectively. Most of the procedures (71.8%) were day surgery. Emergency procedures were similar in the first third of 2020 (65 vs. 64 in 2019, P = 0.994) and declined in April 2020 by 6.7% versus April 2019. During the full curfew, the most common emergency intervention were cases with obstructive uropathy (42.8%), followed by torsion testis (28.6%), posterior urethral valve (14.3%), and urological trauma (14.3%). CONCLUSIONS: In KSA, the number of elective pediatric surgical procedures were reduced by >90%, while the number of emergency pediatric surgical procdures were similar during COVID-19 pandemic compared with non-COVID-19 time. Ureteric reimplantation, hypospadias repair, cryptorchidism, and circumcision procedures were postponed. Pyeloplasty and urolithiasis-related procedures were performed to prevent irreversible disease progression or organ damage. There was an increase in rate of teleclinic and day surgery to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Impact of COVID-19 on endourology surgical practice in Saudi Arabia: A national multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the impact of COVID-19 on endourology surgical practice in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective study of seven tertiary hospitals from January 2019 to April 2019, and from January 2020 to April 2020 was performed. Records of urology outpatient department (OPD) visits and endourology procedures in the first third of 2020 were analyzed and compared with those in the first third of 2019, as well as, during the full curfew time, i.e. April 2020 versus April 2019. RESULTS: Number of OPD visits in the first third of 2020 and 2019 were 19 499 and 26 594, respectively (p<0.001). Number of OPD visits in April 2020 was 1512, with a 78.6% decrease compared to that in April 2019, and among them 1373 (90.8%) were teleclinics. Number of elective procedures in the first third of 2020 has decreased by 34.3% (from 3025 to 1988) compared to that in the first third of 2019 (p<0.001). There were 120 elective procedures in April 2020, 84.1% lower than that in April 2019. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy, shockwave lithotripsy, and transurethral resection of prostate procedures declined by 94.2%, 98.5%, and 93.8%, respectively. Most procedures were performed as day surgery (85.0%). Number of emergency procedures in 2020 have fallen by 9.3% compared to 2019 (p=0.286). Urolithiasis was the commonest pathology (52.6%) presented to the emergency room (52.6%). CONCLUSION: During COVID-19 pandemic, urology services slashed by >75%, including OPD visits and elective endourology procedures. Most hospitals have changed their strategic preventive measures by increasing the rate of teleclinics and day surgeries.

Concurrent bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis and secondary iliopsoas abscess extending to thigh muscles with profuse rectal bleeding. A rare case scenario.

INTRODUCTION: Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis is exceedingly rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56 year old diabetic male presented with high grade fever 40o c, chills, and bilateral loin pain since two weeks a picture of septic shock. CT showed bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis, the left kidney was smaller in size, the right renal unit showed marked hydronephrosis, right iliopsoas abscess extending to the thigh. The patient was managed by bilateral nephrostomy tubes and two retroperitoneal drains. Initially, the patient recovered, but the general condition deteriorated and profuse rectal bleeding occurred. Colonoscopy showed bleeding colonic mucosa. CONCLUSION: Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis is devastating disease that should be managed promptly to avoid septic shock.

A large renal bullet that resembles a large renal stone. A rare case scenario.

INTRODUCTION: Genitourinary trauma secondary to a gunshot wound is uncommon as it only occurs in about 10% of cases. We present a case of a gentleman who suffered a gunshot wound to the kidney. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 28 year old man presented with irritative lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTs) since three months. The medical history was irrelevant. He is known case of neurogenic bladder maintained on regular clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). He has history of gunshot to the back since few years that resulted in spinal injury. CTUT showed retained bullet inside the right kidney that look alike hyperdense renal stone, Moreover, multiple vesical stones. The vesical stones were treated with cystolitholapaxy. Given that the patient is asymptomatic, conservative management for the retained right renal bullet is the feasible option. DISCUSSION: Based on the ASST classification, renal gunshot injury results in a grade IV injury. Abdominal exploration was reserved only in selected scenarios. Gunshot injuries to the kidney are commonly associated with thoracic and abdominal injuries. Gunshot injuries may be caused by low-velocity or high-velocity bullets. Given the paucity of cases reported in the literature, it is not obvious what is the optimum management of such patients with a retained renal bullet? We present the radiological findings and a clinical case summary as well for those who have Grade IV kidney injury and retained bullet managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: Retained renal bullet post gunshot injury to the back is unusual presentation. A characteristic star-like pattern produced by lead shots and not by "stone," consisting of plastic detonating cap will aid the urologist to differentiate retained renal bullet from renal stone. In such scenario, asymptomatic renal bullet look alike renal stone doesn't necessitate treatment.

Mirabegron versus Solifenacin in Children with Overactive Bladder: Prospective Randomized Single-Blind Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of mirabegron versus solifenacin in the treatment of newly diagnosed overactive bladder (OAB) in children. METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled study on pediatric patients with newly diagnosed OAB. Patients were randomized into 3 groups: mirabegron (50 mg once daily) in group I, solifenacin (5 mg) in group II, and placebo in group III. Before starting our treatment and at the end of the 3 months course, we obtained a 3-day voiding diary. This diary included incontinence episode per day, mean voided volume per micturition, mean number of micturition per day, and post-void residual urine. Moreover, the parents/patients were asked to rate symptom relief, and the adverse events were recorded throughout the study period. RESULTS: A total of 190 patients aged from 5 to 14 years completed this study. At the end of this trial, both groups I and II showed significant improvement versus placebo regarding our efficacy parameters with no significant difference between group I and II. The overall success rate based on assessment of symptom relief was significantly higher in the treated groups (87.5% in I and 90.2% in II) versus placebo (55.8%). Dry mouth was reported in 2.8, 10, and 0% and constipation in 2.8, 11.4, and 1.4% in group I, II, and III, respectively, without statistically significant difference between group I and placebo. However, there was a significant difference between group II and placebo regarding these side effects. CONCLUSION: Both mirabegron and solifenacin have comparable efficacy regarding the control of OAB symptoms in the newly diagnosed children, but mirabegrone seems to have less side effects.

A rare case of emphysematous pyelonephritis associated with pneumatosis intestinalis and bowel ischemia.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare life-threatening gas producing kidney infection, commonly affects uncontrolled diabetic patients with underlying urinary tract obstruction. Presence of pneumoperitoneum and involvement of the bowels are uncommon presentation of EPN. In the present report, we present a 59-year-old African male who had extensive EPN with pneumoperitoneum, pneumatosis intestinalis and extension to the bowel causing ischemia. Successful surgical exploration was done, with resection anastomosis of the ischemic bowel segment and drainage of the kidney.

Silodosin versus Tamsulosin as Medical Expulsive Therapy for Children with Lower-Third Ureteric Stones: Prospective Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.

AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of silodosin versus tamsulosin as medical expulsive therapy for stones of lower-third ureter in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective single-blind placebo-controlled randomized study included 167 pediatric patients who presented with distal ureteric stone (DUS) less than 1 cm. Patients were randomized into 3 groups; group I received silodosin 4 mg once daily, and group II received tamsulosin 0.4 mg while those in group III had placebo. The side effects of the used drugs, both rate and time of stone expulsion, and number of pain episodes were compared among the study groups for a maximum of 4 weeks. RESULTS: Follow-up data of our patients after treatment revealed that the stone expulsion rate was significantly higher and the time to stone expulsion was significantly shorter in group I (89.3%, 12.4 ± 2.3 days) and group II (74.5%, 16.2 ± 4.2 days) compared to group III (51.8%, 21.2 ± 5.6). However, a statistically significant difference between silodosin and tamsulosin groups in favor of the former one was reported regarding the 2 studied items. Meanwhile, pain episodes requiring analgesia were statistically fewer in group I and II in contrast to placebo group. Adverse events were comparable among all groups. CONCLUSION: Silodosin provides significantly better stone expulsion rate and shorter expulsion time than tamsulosin for treatment of DUS. Both medications showed good safety profiles in children. However, further studies are required on a larger scale to confirm our results. Assessment of drug safety on younger age-group is still needed.

Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy for large proximal ureteric stones: Surgical technique, outcomes and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (LPU) for the treatment of large proximal ureteric stone. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter analysis for patients with solitary impacted proximal ureteric stone ≥15 mm who underwent LPU from 2016 to 2019 was performed. Primary outcome was to estimate the stone-free rate (SFR). SFR was defined as absence of residual stones on postoperative computed tomography scan. Secondary outcome was to assess the perioperative outcomes, as well as to review literature data of randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses comparing LPU to other treatment options. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included in our study. Mean stone size was 22.9 ± 5.8 mm and median follow-up was 14 months. Three patients had previous abdominal surgery, one patient had severe degree of scoliosis and six patients failed primary therapy. All stones were extracted successfully (SFR = 100%) without need of auxiliary treatments. Mean operative time and estimated blood loss were 86.6 ± 14.1 minutes. and 11.9 ± 14.7 mL, respectively. No intraoperative complications or conversion to open surgery were reported. No major postoperative complications (≥grade 3) were reported. Mean length of hospital stay was 2 ± 0.8 days. CONCLUSIONS: For treatment of large ureteric stones, our study showed that LPU achieves 100% stone-free status. When performed by well-trained laparoscopic surgeons, it is safe and has no major perioperative complications. According to our results and literature data, when counseling patients with large impacted proximal ureteral stones, LPU should be advised as the procedure that has the higher SFR, lower auxiliary treatments, and comparable complication rates to other treatments.

Outcomes of minimally invasive partial nephrectomy among very elderly patients: report from the RESURGE collaborative international database.

The aim of the study was to perform a comprehensive investigation of clinical outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) in elderly patients presenting with a renal mass. The REnal SURGery in Elderly (RESURGE) collaborative database was queried to identify patients aged 75 or older diagnosed with cT1-2 renal mass and treated with RAPN or LPN. Study outcomes were: overall complications (OC); warm ischemia time (WIT) and 6-month estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); positive surgical margins (PSM), disease recurrence (REC), cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and other-cause mortality (OCM). Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier, smoothed Poisson plots and logistic and linear regression models (MVA) were used. Overall, 216 patients were included in this analysis. OC rate was 34%, most of them being of low Clavien grade. Median WIT was 17 minutes and median 6-month eGFR was 54 ml/min/1.73 m2. PSM rate was 5%. After a median follow-up of 20 months, the 5-year rates of REC, CSM and OCM were 4, 4 and 5%, respectively. At MVA predicting perioperative morbidity, RAPN relative to LPN (odds ratio [OR] 0.33; p <0.0001) was associated with lower OC rate. At MVA predicting functional outcomes, RAPN relative to LPN was associated with shorter WIT (estimate [EST] -4.09; p <0.0001), and with higher 6-month eGFR (EST 6.03; p = 0.01). In appropriately selected patients with small renal masses, minimally-invasive PN is associated with acceptable perioperative outcomes. The use of a robotic approach over a standard laparoscopic approach can be advantageous with respect to clinically relevant outcomes, and it should be preferred when available.

Trauma and orthopaedic team members' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of a UK survey.

AIMS: Healthcare systems have been rapidly restructured to meet COVID-19 demand. Clinicians are working to novel clinical guidelines, treating new patient cohorts and working in unfamiliar environments. Trauma and orthopaedics (T&O) has experienced cancellation of routine clinics and operating, with redistribution of the workload and human resources. To date, no studies have evaluated the mental health impact of these changes on the T&O workforce. We report the results of a novel survey on the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of our orthopaedic workforce and the contributory factors. METHODS: A 20-question survey-based cross-sectional study of orthopaedic team members was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective was to identify the impact of the pandemic on mental health in the form of major depressive disorder (MDD) and general anxiety disorder (GAD). The survey incorporated the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-2), which is validated for screening of MDD, and the generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire (GAD-2), which is validated for screening of GAD. RESULTS: There were 62 respondents (18 females and 44 males). As compared to the general population, we noted a greater estimated prevalence of GAD (17.7% vs 5.9%, p = 0.0009297) and MDD (19.4% vs 3.3%, p = 0.0000007731). The prevalence of MDD symptoms was greatest among senior house officers (SHOs) (p = 0.02216). Female respondents scored higher for symptoms of MDD (p = 0.03583) and GAD (p = 0.0001086). Those identifying as 'Black, African, Caribbean or Black British' displayed a higher prevalence of GAD symptoms (p = 0.001575) and felt least supported at work (p = 0.001341). CONCLUSION: Our study, in the first of its kind, shows a significant prevalence of GAD and MDD in the workforce. We found that SHOs, females and those of Black, African, Caribbean, or Black British origin were disproportionately affected. Action should be taken to help prevent adverse mental health outcomes for our colleagues during the pandemic.Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-6:316-325.

Urolithiasis treatment options during COVID-19 pandemic: review of current recommendations and triage systems.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed healthcare systems and limited access to surgical care. Urolithiasis can lead to emergencies and affect renal function during long-term follow-up. Therefore, timely and appropriate treatment is essential. MAIN TEXT: This is a non-systematic review of the recently published recommendations regarding urolithiasis treatment options during COVID-19. Fourteen publications were the basis of our review. Regarding anesthesia methods, the optimal methods are still unknown. During COVID-19, most of the endo-urologists changed their routine clinical practice and elective surgical treatment approaches. Despite decreasing number of emergency visits and admissions for stone disease, patients tend to have leukocytosis, higher creatinine levels, increased grade 3 and 4 hydronephrosis, and higher incidence of complications compared to non-COVID-19 time. Several alarming indications if present, intervention should be performed within 24 h to prevent irreversible kidney damage, disease progression, or even death. Some endo-urologists prefer definitive stone treatment over temporarily drainage to reduce the number of emergency room visits and hospital admissions, except if infection is present or staged treatment is planned. Several clinical scenarios of non-emergency and non-urgent urinary stones are present; thus, endo-urologists should appropriately weigh patient's risk and surgery benefit to decide to the proper intervention time. If risks outweighed benefits to the patient, postpone the surgery. Renal colic should be managed with medical expulsive therapy and proper pain control with close follow-up just in case it becomes an emergency. Indwelling JJ stent removal or exchange is a matter of debate; some endo-urologists recommend removing, while others recommend postponing. CONCLUSION: Treatment options for urinary stones have markedly changed during COVID-19 pandemic. The optimal anesthesia methods are still unknown. Emergency intervention is a must if any alarming indications exist. Emergency cases tend to have higher incidence of complications compared to non-COVID-19 time. For non-emergency and non-urgent urolithiasis, endo-urologists should make judicious treatment decision to prioritize urolithiasis treatment, and they should weigh benefits and risks before surgery.