[Percutaneous nephropyelostomy--indications, complications, and various aspects of clinical use]

During almost 3 years in 100 patients the percutaneous nephropyelostomy was used as method of the supravesical discharge of urine 109 times. The X-ray-aimed puncture was performed on the basis of the fine needle puncture technique by means of a puncture set which we developed ourselves. When a urinary retention is present, the number of targets is great (96%), the rate of complications small. In 12 systematically exposed kidneys limited subcapsular haematomas were found, once a small perirenal haematoma. In one case a breaking off of the wire occurred. In 2 cases a septicaemia appeared, 4 punctures failed. Following the PNS 3 kidneys had to be exposed due to tamponage of the renal pelvis (2) and perforation of the renal pelvis, respectively. The percutaneous nephropyelostomy is a measure for the temporary or permanent supravesical discharge of the urine which is little stressing for the patient and simply to be performed. It represents a secure and effective alternative for the operative nephrostomy in patients with obstruction of the urinary tract of every genesis.