A preliminary study: the role of preoperative procalcitonin in predicting postoperative fever after mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with a negative baseline urine culture

To evaluate the role of preoperative procalcitonin (PCT) levels in predicting postoperative fever after mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) in patients with a negative baseline urine culture. Between January 2014 and October 2017, 329 patients with a negative baseline urine culture and who underwent mini-PCNL were enrolled in this study. Patients were stratified into the control or febrile group based on a body temperature either less than or greater than 38 degrees C, respectively. Demographic and perioperative data were compared between the groups, and variables found to be statistically significant were included in a binary logistic regression analysis. A total of 68 (20.6%) patients experienced postoperative fever. The univariate analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between groups in preoperative fever (p = 0.032), stone burden (p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (p = 0.011), PCT (p < 0.001) and interleukin-6 (p = 0.035) levels. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that stone burden > 353 mm(3) (p = 0.003) and PCT > 0.05 ng/mL (p < 0.001) are independent risk factors for postoperative fever in mini-PCNL-treated patients with a negative baseline urine culture. We concluded that patients with stone burden > 353 mm(3) or PCT > 0.05 ng/mL were more likely to develop postoperative fever after mini-PCNL, though with a negative baseline urine culture.