Why Would You Need A Nephrostomy?

: Admin : 2021-11-12

The urinary system consists of two bean-shaped kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The function of the urinary system is to eliminate waste from the body, regulate blood volume and control electrolyte levels to maintain the pH of the blood. The kidney filters blood and drains waste products in the form of urine that reaches the bladder through two narrow tubes termed as ureters. The urine is later excreted outside the body system through the urethra.

Diseases of the ureter such as stone, infection, injury or cancer obstruct the passage of urine from kidneys to the bladder. Nephrostomy is a procedure to create a narrow opening that can drain the urine through a thin plastic tube into a plastic bag attached to the tube outside your body. It is an important medical intervention to drain waste products through an artificial aid to prevent kidney damage and serious infection.

A health care professional visualizes the pathology through an X-ray scan and ultrasound. It guides the doctor to position the tube at the correct site for easy drainage of the urine.

A patient is prepared for the procedure to stay empty stomach on the day nephrostomy is scheduled. A doctor records a detailed history of the patient. A drip is inserted into the arm. General anaesthesia is administered to the patient prior to the procedure.

The area is thoroughly cleansed, made sterile and a small incision is made in the skin. The X-ray and ultrasound guide the physician to position the tube at an ideal location. A wire is first inserted through a needle and the needle is later removed. A nephrostomy tube is inserted over the wire. The tube is made stable or stationed in one position before the wire is removed.

The nephrostomy tube is fixed to the skin through dressings, clips or stitches. A drainage bag is attached alongside the nephrostomy tube for the collection of urine. Nephrostomy temporary solution to drain the urine that gets blocked before it reaches the bladder, the patient can move comfortably until the pathology that obstructs the gets cured.