Predictive factors for stone management timing after emergency percutaneous nephrostomy drainage in patients with infection and hydronephrosis secondary to ureteral calculi

This study examined the interval between stone management and emergency percutaneous nephrostomy drainage in patients with infection and hydronephrosis secondary to ureteral calculi. A retrospective chart review was conducted for 88 patients treated for 94 stones enrolled in this study from 2005 to 2020. The mean age was 60.7 ± 15.2 years (range: 2–87 years). The average stone size was 1.51 ± 0.8 cm (range: 0.4–4 cm). The most common location was the upper ureter (n = 71, 75.5%), followed by the lower (n = 17, 18.1%) and middle (n = 6, 6.4%) ureter. The mean interval between percutaneous nephrostomy drainage and secondary stone management was 8.17 ± 11.6 days (range: 1–76 days). Most patients underwent operations within 1 week (n = 72, 81.8%). Abnormal white blood cell counts were found in most patients (58, 65.9%). Tachycardia was detected in 40 (45.5%) patients. Only 11 (12.5%) patients had fever upon emergency department arrival. Severe shock was reported in 6 (6.8%) patients. More than half of all patients (45, 51.1%) experienced acute kidney injury, and 37 (42%) patients had elevated C-reactive protein levels. Most patients (69, 73.4%) received ureteroscopic lithotripsy as stone management. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was the only significant parameter (p = 0.016) affecting the operation interval, with MAP < 60 mmHg associated with longer operation intervals (16.2 days). The timing of stone surgery depends on clinician discretion and patient recovery.