[UROLOGICAL CONSULT FOR PATIENT WITH RENAL COLIC BEFORE DISCHARGE FROM THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (ED): THE OUTCOME EFFECT ON SPONTANEOUS STONE EXPULSION AND RE-VISIT TO ED].

Abstract

Introduction: Renal colic due to ureterolithiasis is a frequent reason for visiting the emergency departments (ED). The majority of those patients are managed non-surgically and will experience a spontaneous stone expulsion. The ED at our hospital works as a unified department, which is a well-established practice in Europe and North America.

Aims: Assess the outcome of urological consultation in the ED for patients with urolithiasis.

Methods: A retrospective cohort examined 402 ureterolithiasis patients proven by abdominal CT-scan at the ED. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Group1: patients were discharged after evaluation by ED physician alone. In Group 2: patients were discharged after being evaluated by an ED physician and urologist. In Group 3: patients who were admitted to the Urology Department. Clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters were examined as well as patients' outcomes: spontaneous stone expulsion, re-visit to ED and surgical intervention.

Results: There were not significant differences between group 1 and 2 regarding age, stone size, stone location, WBC levels, stone expulsion rate or surgical intervention. Group 1 had a significant higher rate of ED re-visits compared with group 2 (79 (43.3%) vs. 12 (17.9%). p=0.0002). Group 3 had significantly higher stone size, creatinine levels, inflammatory markers, proximal stone location and surgical interventions.

Conclusions: ED working as a unified department provides excellent management to patients with renal colic due to ureterolithiasis, with a high rate of spontaneous stone expulsion and urologist referral to admissions and surgical interventions. Nevertheless, urological consultation significantly decreases re-visits to ED.