Prioritizing patient-reported postoperative information needs after urinary stone surgery: a multicenter cross-sectional survey

To identify patients' priority postoperative information needs following urinary stone surgery, we conducted a multicenter cross-sectional survey of patients who underwent surgery for urinary stone disease at eight centers between February 3 and July 1, 2025. Eligible procedures included ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy, retrograde intrarenal surgery, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery. A postoperative questionnaire was completed at a median of 17 days after surgery. Of 381 eligible patients approached, 356 were enrolled, and 332 completed the questionnaire and were included in the analysis (completion rate, 93.3%). The topics of greatest interest were how the surgery went (88%), stent removal among stented patients (60%), and location of the stone(s) (59%). At least 80% of interested patients reported receiving information on each topic; however, 20% of those interested in stent-related symptoms reported receiving no information on this topic. The amount of information received was rated as excellent by 48% of patients, good by 33%, adequate by 16%, inadequate by 2%, and very little or none by 1%. The operating surgeon was the most commonly consulted postoperative information source (76%) and the most helpful source (87%). Postoperative information needs after urinary stone surgery are heterogeneous. Patients place particular importance on how the surgery went, stone location, and double-J stent-related issues, with the greatest information gap concerning stent-related symptoms. The central role of the operating surgeon as both the primary and most helpful source of information supports structured, patient-centered postoperative communication to better address patients' information needs.