OR / Prep · Urology · percutaneous
You’re scrubbing into
Percutaneous nephrostomy
Why are we operating?
A tube through the flank into a blocked, infected kidney: the urological equivalent of draining an abscess, and the operation that turns sepsis around overnight.
Indication: Obstructed infected kidney (pyonephrosis), the urological emergency; obstruction with failing renal function.
The operation in 4 steps
01Imaging and planning the track
02Puncture and wire
03Track dilation and tube placement
04Aftercare and the definitive plan
Watch it done
Percutaneous nephrostomy
The interventional radiology teaching: posterior calyx puncture, wire, dilatation and the pigtail.
Source: IR Education · Watch on YouTubeYour nephrostomy or nephroureteral drain
Caring for the tube afterwards: flushing, the bag, and when to call.
Source: Cleveland Clinic · Watch on YouTube
Conceptual teaching for learners preparing to observe and assist under supervision, not operative instructions. Five minutes from now you should know why this operation exists, what its shape is, and which structures it is designed not to injure.