To investigate the perioperative complication rates for paraplegic-quadriplegic patients (PQPs) undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) as compared with non-PQPs using a standardized method of complication reporting via the Clavien system.

Two hundred thirteen consecutive PCNLs performed by a single surgeon were analyzed. There were 31 and 115 patients separated into PQP and non-PQP groups, respectively. Data collection included demographic and clinical factors, as well as perioperative and delayed complications. Complications were organized by the Clavien grade. All- and initial-procedure complications were analyzed. The rate of adverse events for each Clavien grade was calculated, and statistical comparisons were made. The relationship between PQP and complication severity was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

There were 38 and 43 initial-procedure complications in the PQP and non-PQP groups, respectively. The rate of adverse events was higher across the spectrum of Clavien grades for the PQP group, specifically grade 1 (48.4% vs 20.2%; P = .002), grade 2 (22.6% vs 5.3%; P = .004), grade 3b (12.9% vs 2.6%; P = .038), grade 4a (6.5% vs 0%), and grade 4b (9.7% vs 1.8%; P = .066). Approximately 51.6% and 31.5% of PQPs and non-PQPs experienced ≥1 complications, respectively (odds ratio = 2.34; P = .05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated paraplegia or quadriplegia status to be an independent risk factor for the development of perioperative complications after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio = 2.91; P = .040).

PCNL complication rates are higher in PQPs compared with non-PQPs. This study is one of the first in PCNL to use a standardized reporting system to highlight high-risk individuals within the stone population.