Percutaneous nephrostomy: indications, techniques and results. A retrospective study of 81 cases

A retrospective study has been made of 81 cases of percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) which were treated during the period 1989-1998. The mean patient age was 41 years (age range: 21-66 years). The reasons for the diversion via n ephrostomy catheter were oligoanuria (43 cases), pyonephrosis (34 cases), a nd evaluation of renal function (four cases). The initial disease was found to be malignant in 23.25% of cases of oligoanuria, with six cancers of the cervix, three bladder cancers and one prostate cancer. Lithiasis was the m ain etiology in subjects with benign disease, and was the causative factor of oligoanuria in 55.8% and pyonephrosis in 67.6% of cases, i.e., a total o f 47 cases (58%). PCN catheter placement was successfully carried out in 10 0% of cases, and resulted in improved renal function, and/or in the treatme nt of the initial infectious syndrome in the majority of cases. PCN is an e xcellent technique for upper urinary tract drainage due to its simplicity, efficacy, ease of insertion, low cost and satisfactory results. It is a min imally invasive technique, which necessitates only the use of a local anest hetic, a sound knowledge of the human anatomy involved, a trained operator and a minimum of material. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Els evier SAS.