[Fine needle puncture for antegrade pyelography and percutaneous nephropyelostomy (author's transl)]

A method for antegrade pyelography and pyelonephrostomy is described using a long, thin needle with a shorter, wider Seldinger cannula. Puncture with a thin needle reduces the risk during antegrade demonstration of the upper urinary tract and can also be used for puncturing collecting systems which are only slightly dilated. When necessary, the Seldinger cannula can be advanced over the needle; subsequently, with the aid of a J-wire, a nephropyelostomy can be performed. The method has been used in 20 patients. In one case of intended bilateral nephropyelostomy the puncture was successful on only one side. There were no serious complications. In only one patient a small perirenal haematoma was found at operation.