Ta. Farrell et Me. Hicks, A REVIEW OF RADIOLOGICALLY GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROSTOMIES IN 303 PATIENTS, Journal of vascular and interventional radiology, 8(5), 1997, pp. 769-774
PURPOSE: To determine the morbidity and mortality associated with radi
ologically guided percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) and to identify possi
ble contributory risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retr
ospectively reviewed 454 consecutive PCNs in 303 patients performed du
ring a 4-year period, PCNs performed specifically for nephrolithotomy
were excluded, Self-retention loop catheters (8-12 F) were placed with
use of a modified Seldinger technique in all patients, Preprocedural
antibiotics were administered routinely, Demographic variables, techni
cal factors related to tube placement, and risk factors were examined
with respect to tube malfunction and 30-day morbidity and mortality. R
ESULTS: Technical success was 99%, The overall complication rate was 6
.5%, including hemorrhage requiring transfusion after 13 PCNs (2.8%),
A baseline platelet count of less than 100,000/mm(3) was a significant
risk factor for hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion. The 30-day mo
rtality rate was 3.1%; however, none of these deaths were procedure re
lated. CONCLUSION: Radiologically guided PCN with self-retention cathe
ters is associated with a high technical success rate and low morbidit
y.