Recovery After Ureterorenoscopy and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Questionnaire Study.

Objectives

Patient information regarding postoperative recovery after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and retrograde ureterorenoscopy (URS) remains limited. This study aimed to characterize recovery patterns following these procedures to improve patient counseling.

Methods

In this prospective multicenter study, adult patients undergoing URS or PCNL for renal stones were included at an academic center, a teaching hospital, and a regional hospital. Patients completed questionnaires two weeks postoperatively, assessing demographics and recovery outcomes. If recovery was incomplete, follow-up assessments were performed at five and eight weeks postoperatively. Primary endpoints were time to full recovery, duration of pain, and fatigue.

Results

Seventy-one patients completed the questionnaire (response rate 56%): 37 underwent PCNL, and 34 underwent URS. The median time to full recovery was 15 days overall: 15 days after PCNL and 13 days after URS. Median postoperative pain duration was 3 days (4 days after PCNL and 2 days after URS). Fatigue was the most frequently reported complaint at two weeks postoperatively, with a median duration of 9 days overall (12 days after PCNL and 7 days after URS). No clear differences in overall recovery duration were observed between URS and PCNL. However, variability in recovery outcomes was considerable.

Conclusions

This exploratory study provides early prospective insight into patient-perceived recovery trajectories following URS and PCNL. No clear differences in overall recovery duration were demonstrated between procedures within the limitations of a small and heterogeneous sample. PCNL may be associated with a longer recovery in selected domains; however, larger studies are required to confirm these findings. The questionnaire requires further validation before clinical implementation.