Objective: We aimed to investigate whether ureteroscopy can be safely performed during antibiotherapy period in patients with urinary tract stones who have persistent positive or contaminated urine cultures preoperatively.

Materials and Methods: A total of 325 patients who underwent ureteroscopy at our clinic between January 2019 and May 2024 were included in the study. Patients who had symptomatic infections, malignancy or hematological diseases were excluded from the study. Based on preoperative urine culture results, patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (negative urine culture) and Group 2 (recurrent positive or contaminated urine cultures). Demographic, clinical, radiological and surgical data were retrospectively collected and statistically analyzed.

Results: Among 325 patients, Group 1 consisted of 268 patients (82.5%), while Group 2 consisted of 57 patients (17.5%). The median age of patients in Group 2 was significantly higher (p = 0.021). The proportion of female patients was higher in Group 2 (52.6%) compared to Group 1 (25.4%) (p < 0.001). Diabetes mellitus, hypertension and chronic kidney disease were significantly more prevalent in Group 2 (p < 0.05). The frequency of postoperative fever and duration of hospital stay were significantly higher in Group 2 (p < 0.001). No cases of urosepsis or more severe than Clavien-Dindo grade 2 complications were observed in any patient.

Conclusion: Our study showed that ureteroscopy may be performed safely under antibiotic treatment in patients with persistently positive urine cultures without causing serious complications. Thus, delaying surgery solely for urine sterilization may not be necessary under appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Keywords : complication, fever, ureteroscopy, urine culture, urinary stones