From the Research
Yes, people with nephrostomy tubes can still urinate normally if their urinary tract remains functional. A nephrostomy tube is a small catheter inserted through the skin into the kidney to drain urine directly from the kidney into an external collection bag. This procedure bypasses blockages in the urinary system, but doesn't necessarily prevent normal urination. If one kidney and its ureter are functioning properly, or if the blockage is only partial, urine can still flow through the natural urinary pathway (from kidneys through ureters to bladder and out through the urethra) 1.
The amount and frequency of natural urination may decrease since some urine is being diverted through the nephrostomy tube. In cases where both kidneys have nephrostomy tubes or where there's complete blockage of the urinary tract, natural urination might not occur. Patients with nephrostomy tubes should follow their healthcare provider's instructions regarding tube care, watch for signs of infection (fever, pain, unusual drainage), and maintain the collection bag below kidney level to ensure proper drainage 2.
It's also important to note that asymptomatic bacteriuria is common in patients with nephrostomy tubes, and antibiotic prophylaxis may not be necessary in all cases 3, 2. However, patients with symptoms of infection should be treated promptly to prevent complications. Overall, the key to managing nephrostomy tubes is to prioritize proper tube care and monitoring for signs of infection, while also considering the individual patient's underlying condition and medical history 1, 2.
Some key points to consider include:
- Nephrostomy tubes can be used to bypass blockages in the urinary system, but may not prevent normal urination if the urinary tract remains functional
- Patients with nephrostomy tubes should follow their healthcare provider's instructions regarding tube care and watch for signs of infection
- Asymptomatic bacteriuria is common in patients with nephrostomy tubes, and antibiotic prophylaxis may not be necessary in all cases
- Patients with symptoms of infection should be treated promptly to prevent complications 1, 3, 2.