From the Guidelines
Nephrostomy tubes are catheters placed into the renal collecting system to provide urinary decompression and facilitate endourologic surgery, typically using imaging guidance and the Seldinger needle-wire technique. These tubes are used to drain urine directly from the kidneys when there is a blockage in the urinary tract, such as a kidney stone or tumor, and can be either external or internal, with the latter allowing for drainage through the ureter and bladder 1. The procedure for placing a nephrostomy tube, known as percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN), has been in use for over 60 years and has become increasingly safe with advancements in catheters, interventional radiological techniques, and imaging guidance 1. Key aspects of nephrostomy tubes include:
- They are used for urinary decompression and to facilitate endourologic surgery
- They can be external or internal, with internal tubes allowing for drainage through the ureter and bladder
- The procedure for placement, PCN, has a high success rate and limited morbidity and mortality 1
- They are typically placed using imaging guidance and the Seldinger needle-wire technique In the context of managing urinary tract obstruction, nephrostomy tubes play a crucial role in providing immediate relief and facilitating further treatment, with the most recent evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness 1.
From the Research
Definition and Purpose of Nephrostomy Tubes
- Nephrostomy tubes are not directly defined in the provided studies, but they can be inferred to be related to renal replacement therapy and dialysis.
- The studies focus on different aspects of dialysis, including peritoneal dialysis 2, 3, hemodialysis 4, 5, 6, and the preservation of residual renal function 3.
Related Concepts and Procedures
- Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are two types of renal replacement therapy that remove metabolic waste and excess body water from the blood 5.
- Access to the blood is provided through a surgically created access, which must be monitored regularly for adequate function and signs of infection 6.
- Nephrostomy tubes are likely used to divert urine directly from the kidneys when there is a blockage or obstruction in the urinary tract, but this is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
Limitations and Gaps in Knowledge
- There are no direct references to nephrostomy tubes in the provided studies, making it difficult to provide a clear definition and explanation of their purpose and use.
- Further research is needed to understand the role of nephrostomy tubes in renal replacement therapy and their relationship to dialysis and other renal care procedures 2, 4, 3, 5, 6.