Heterogeneity in stone culture protocols and endourologist practice patterns: a multi-institutional survey
Recommended Citation
Tzou DT, Stern KL, Duty BD, Hsi RS, Canvasser NE, De S, Wong AC, Royal CR, Sloss ML, Ziemba JB, Harper JD, Bechis SK, Zampini AM, Borofsky MS, Bell JR, Friedlander JI, Leavitt DA, Nevo A, Patel ND, Patel RM, Okeke Z, Rivera ME, Hsu CH, Chi T, Vedantam G, and Lainhart WD. Heterogeneity in stone culture protocols and endourologist practice patterns: a multi-institutional survey. Urolithiasis 2022; 51(1):15.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-12-2022
Publication Title
Urolithiasis
Abstract
Kidney stone cultures can be beneficial in identifying bacteria not detected in urine, yet how stone cultures are performed among endourologists, under what conditions, and by what laboratory methods remain largely unknown. Stone cultures are not addressed by current clinical guidelines. A comprehensive REDCap electronic survey sought responses from directed (n = 20) and listserv elicited (n = 108) endourologists specializing in kidney stone disease. Questions included which clinical scenarios prompt a stone culture order, how results influence post-operative antibiotics, and what microbiology lab protocols exist at each institution with respect to processing and resulting stone cultures. Logistic regression statistical analysis determined what factors were associated with performing stone cultures. Of 128 unique responses, 11% identified as female and the mean years of practicing was 16 (range 1-46). A specific 'stone culture' order was available to only 50% (64/128) of those surveyed, while 32% (41/128) reported culturing stone by placing a urine culture order. The duration of antibiotics given for a positive stone culture varied, with 4-7 days (46%) and 8-14 days (21%) the most reported. More years in practice was associated with fewer stone cultures ordered, while higher annual volume of percutaneous nephrolithotomy was associated with ordering more stone cultures (p < 0.01). Endourologists have differing practice patterns with respect to ordering stone cultures and utilizing the results to guide post-operative antibiotics. With inconsistent microbiology lab stone culture protocols across multiple institutions, more uniform processing is needed for future studies to assess the clinical benefit of stone cultures and direct future guidelines.
Medical Subject Headings
Female; Humans; Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous; Kidney Calculi; Urinalysis; Bacteria; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed ID
36507964
Volume
51
Issue
1
First Page
15
Last Page
15
