Percutaneous nephrostomy for ureteral obstruction in patients with gynecologic malignancy

Reversible ureteral obstruction is not an infrequent complication of gynecologic malignancy or its treatment. In the past, open nephrostomy has been the standard method of management in such patients. This paper discusses the nonoperative technique of percutaneous nephrostomy which allows placement of either an external nephrostomy tube or an internal ureteral stent under local anesthesia. Six illustrative cases are presented and the indications and technical aspects of the procedure are discussed.