[Percutaneous nephrostomy: indications, techniques and results. 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 nephrostomy catheter were oligoanuria (43 cases), pyonephrosis (34 cases), and 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 main 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 of 47 cases (58%). PCN catheter placement was successfully carried out in 100% of cases, and resulted in improved renal function, and/or in the treatment of the initial infectious syndrome in the majority of cases. PCN is an excellent technique for upper urinary tract drainage due to its simplicity, efficacy, ease of insertion, low cost and satisfactory results. It is a minimally invasive technique, which necessitates only the use of a local anesthetic, a sound knowledge of the human anatomy involved, a trained operator and a minimum of material.