Emergency Placed Percutaneous Nephrostomy Catheter Provides Safe and Effective Access for Future Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Operation

Abstract

Objective: It was aimed to investigate the feasibility of the percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) catheter placed in an emergency in the future percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) operation. Material and Methods: Patients who underwent PCN catheter insertion by an interventional radiologist under emergency situations prior to PNL surgery between January 2013 and December 2018 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, indication for PCN insertion, stone characteristics, pre- and post-operative laboratory values, intra-operative data, usability/non-usability of PCN catheter for renal access, post-operative data and complications were recorded. Results: A total of 32 patients were included in the study. (PCN usable: 21, unusable: 11). Indications for catheter insertion were obstruction in 26 (81.25%) patients and urinary tract infection in 6 (18.75%) patients. Renal access was achieved in 21 (65.62%) patients by using the PCN catheter tract during PNL. The most common PCN access was used in the inferior pole. In 11 (34.37 %) patients, the PCN tract was not usable for access. In patients in whom PCN was unusable due to an unsuitable calyx for access, the most common new access site was the inferior calyx in 6 patients, the superior calyx in 3 patients and the middle calyx in 2 patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in which the PCN catheter was usable and unusable for PNL access (p>0.05), except for the mean length of hospital stay (p=0.039). Conclusions: PCN catheters inserted prior to PNL surgery can be used effectively and safely for renal access during surgery. However, in emergency cases, it is important that the PCN catheter is inserted through the appropriate calyx in patients undergoing future surgery.