High-risk patients for septic shock after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Purpose: to identify risk factors for urinary septic shock in patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Materials and methods: Data from PCNL procedures performed between January 2009 and February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The study included all patients over 18 years old with kidney stones larger than 15 mm who underwent PCNL. Patients who underwent mini-PCNL or combined surgeries, such as ureteroscopy or bilateral procedures, were not included in the study. Logistic regression was conducted to determine the risk factors for urinary septic shock within 30 days post-operation in patients who underwent PCNL.

Results: Urinary septic shock was observed in 8 out of the 1,424 patients analyzed (0.56%). The presence of comorbidities, evaluated using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (OR 1.46 [CI 95% 1.15-1.86], p=0.01), larger stones (41.0 mm [IQR 30.0-47.5 mm] vs. 24.0 mm [IQR 17.0-35.0 mm], OR 1.03 [CI 95% 1.01-1.06], p=0.04), and a positive preoperative urine culture (OR 8.53 [CI 95% 1.71-42.45], p < 0.01) were shown to significantly increase the risk of postoperative urinary septic shock. Patients with a CCI > 2, larger stones (≥ 35 mm), and a positive preoperative urine culture were at even higher risk of urinary septic shock (OR 15.40 [CI 95% 1.77-134.21], p=0.01).

Conclusion: Patients with larger stones, positive preoperative urine culture, and a higher CCI are at risk for urinary septic shock after PCNL. These findings are of utmost importance for optimizing the perioperative care of these patients to prevent life-threatening complications.