Development of sudden refractory hypotension resulting from urosepsis in the post-anesthesia care unit after percutaneous nephrolithotomy for renal calculi: a case report

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is a relatively safe and effective procedure for the management of nephrolithiasis but is associated with severe complications. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman who underwent PNL for renal calculi removal. Preoperative urinalysis detected a large number of white blood cells and, on culture, Escherichia coli was detected. After an uneventful recovery from general anesthesia, she developed tachycardia, high fever, severe shivering, and hypotension in the post-anesthesia care unit. She was diagnosed with urosepsis associated with PNL and was transferred to the intensive care unit. Urosepsis and refractory hypotension persisted despite meticulous fluid management and vasopressor and inotropic agent administration. On postoperative day 5, she was hemodynamically stable and was transferred to a general ward. On postoperative day 12, she was discharged without any complications. Urosepsis after PNL can be catastrophic; therefore, early detection and optimal treatment are necessary to improve the postoperative outcome.