Percutaneous nephrostomy and ureteral stenting in gynecologic malignancies

To identify the indications, complications, and efficacy of percutaneous nephrostomies and ureteral stents in women with gynecologic cancer.

In a retrospective study, 40 women underwent urinary diversion with percutaneous nephrostomy and ureteral stents. Nine had ureteral stenosis on initial presentation, 18 had persistent or recurrent cancer, nine had no evidence of disease, and four had operative ureteral damage. Of the nine who were without disease, seven had a urinary conduit.

Thirty-five patients had ureteral stenosis, which was bilateral in 24, and five had a ureteral fistula. Sixteen had a unilateral and 22 had bilateral percutaneous nephrostomies, with two cases having stents only. The most common complication was hematuria. Thirteen women were later hospitalized for pyelonephritis. Twenty-nine (72.5%) had ureteral stents, which were bilateral in 12. Renal function was abnormal in 26, but improved in 14 and returned to normal in six. Five fistulas were managed with ureteral stents alone and four were closed. The median time to death (N = 22) was 5.5 months, 12 months in primary cases versus 5.5 months in recurrent cases. Twelve of the remaining 18 were alive without evidence of disease at a median of 38 months, five were alive with disease at a median of 16 months, and one was lost to follow-up.

These techniques are safe and often improve renal function. The procedures have different roles in women with primary and recurrent gynecologic cancer, in those without evidence of recurrent disease, and in those with urinary conduits.