Complications of percutaneous nephrostomy, percutaneous insertion of ureteral endoprosthesis, and replacement procedures

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to record and identify the freque ncy of complications following percutaneous nephrostomy, replacement of nep hrostomy drains and percutaneous insertion of ureteral endoprostheses. Methods: During a 10-year period 341 patients were referred to our departme nt with indications for percutaneous nephrostomy and/or percutaneous insert ion of a ureteral endoprosthesis, and a total of 1036 interventional. proce dures were performed (nephrostomy, catheter change, stenting). Results: There were three major complications (0.29%): two patients died du ring, the first 30 days after the procedure, due to aggravation of their co ndition caused by the procedure, and one patient had retroperitoneal bleedi ng requiring surgery. There were 76 complications of intermediate severity (7.33%): catheter or stent displacement (n = 37, 3.57%) catheter occlusion (n = 18, 1.73%), hematuria (n = 12, 1.16%), and urinary tract infection (n = 9, 0.87%). The 55 minor complications (5.3%),comprised inflammation of th e skin at the site of insertion of the percutaneous catheter. Conclusion: The small number of complications observed during acts of inter ventional uroradiology prove transcutaneous manipulations to be safe medica l procedures.