Evaluation of day-care versus inpatient mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a propensity score-matching study

Day-care percutaneous nephrolithotomy (day-PCNL) is being performed more routinely, however, safety remains a concern. The purpose of this study was to compare the complication rate, readmission rate and medical cost saving between day-PCNL and inpatient-PCNL. A protocol for day-PCNL was applied. A retrospective review of 86 patients planned day-PCNL by one surgeon were conducted. Using propensity matching, 86 inpatients (minimum 2-day post-operative stay) treated with the same procedure were matched. For each cohort, 14-day occurrence of complications and unplanned readmissions were recorded and compared. More than 80% of patients had multiple or staghorn stones in both groups. There were no significant differences between stone-free rate, operative time, multiple-tracts use, hemoglobin drop (each p > 0.05). Day- PCNL has a higher tubeless rate (60.8% vs. 24.4%, p < 0.001) and were less costly (mean 2732 vs. 3828 dollars) compared with inpatient PCNL. Within 14 days post-operatively, 10 day-care patients (11.6%) and 13 inpatients (15.1%) experienced complications, with no difference in rate or severity. Four patients (4.6%) required full admission (longer than 24 h) and two patents needed readmission in day-PCNL group. Day-care PCNL was more cost-effective than in-patients PCNL, with no significant difference in complications along with very low unplanned readmission during the postoperative period of 14 days. Therefore, day-care PCNL is a cost-effective choice in selected patients.