Pain experiences of nephrolithiasis patients planned for percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A qualitative study

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the pain experienced by nephrolithiasis patients scheduled for PNL and the methods of coping with pain. The qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 22 patients aged between 23 and 75 years who experienced pain due to nephrolithiasis. The data were collected between January and November 2023 using the “Personal Information Form” and “Semi-structured Interview Form”. The content analysis was used to investigate the pain experienced by patients. Patients reported the character of pain as pulling, stabbing, scratching, swelling, pressing, and indescribable, and the intensity of the pain as the most severe pain experienced, unbearable, and killing. Patients reported the effects of the pain as tiring, immobilized, breathtaking, and appetite suppressant. The methods used by the patients were categorized under two themes: pain-orientated and directed at the source of pain. In addition to pharmacological methods to cope with pain, patients reported hot application and distraction techniques. Patients also reported using some herbs in addition to the medical treatments recommended by the physician to reduce kidney stones to cope with the pain they experienced. In line with these results, the subjective nature of pain should not be forgotten during pain assessment, which is one of the most important steps in controlling the pain of patients with renal colic due to nephrolithiasis, and pain should be evaluated in all its dimensions. Considering that patients also use nonpharmacological methods to control this severe pain, these methods should be questioned.