Clinical application of a special postoperative position cushion for patients after percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A randomized trial

Abstract

Background: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), a minimally invasive technique, has gradually replaced traditional open surgery in the treatment of upper urinary tract stones. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of a new special position cushion for PCNL in the clinical application. Methods: Four-hundred and fifty patients (229 males and 221 females, at the age of 47.03±8.9 years) after PCNL were randomly divided into two groups: the control group and the experimental group (n=225/each group). Patients in the control group were treated with conventional hip sponge pads to prevent from pressure ulcers after PCNL, and patients in the experimental group used the postoperatively special position cushion which included a sacrococcygeal pad and a back pad. We observed and compared patient’s position comfort, the incidence of renal hemorrhage, removal rate of the renal fistula, folding rate of the renal fistula and incidence of refractory pressure ulcer between two groups. Results: Compared to the control group, the position comfort of the experiment group was improved. The incidence of renal hemorrhage due to improper postoperative position (hereinafter referred to as the incidence of renal bleeding), the rate of devascularization of the renal fistula, the rate of tube folding of the renal fistula, and the incidence of postoperative pressure ulcers in the experiment group were decreased in comparison with the control group, with significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusions: The special position cushion increases the patient’s comfort, improves the fix effect of the renal fistula, and effectively reduces the occurrence of adverse reactions such as bleeding and pressure sore caused by improper PCNL postoperative position.