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.