Nephrostomy

(Last updated: March, 2026)

Nephrostomy

Walk-In Clinic SKMCH&RC Karachi Site Plot No.1, Health Care Sector, DHA City, Karachi, Pakistan

What is nephrostomy?

A nephrostomy is a small tube inserted through the skin into the kidney to allow urine to drain from the kidney into a collec ng bag outside the body. This is usually required when your body's natural draining pipe (ureter) is blocked due to kidney stones, tumour or infec on.

How do I prepare for it?

Before nephrostomy, inform your doctor about any health problems you have, and all medicines or supplements that you take.

If you regularly use blood-thinning medicines, you may need to stop taking them few days before this procedure, which your doctor will explain to you. Do not eat or drink anything 4 hours before your procedure.

How is it performed?

• The procedure may take 30-60 minutes.

• You will usually lie prone.

• Local anaesthe c is injected in your back at the site of tube inser on.

• Using ultrasound, a doctor (interven onal radiologist) guides a fine needle into the kidney. A guide wire will be placed into the kidney through the needle, which enables the nephrostomy tube to be posi oned correctly.

• This tube will then be s tched in place, a dressing fixed to the skin surface and a drainage bag a ached.

What should I expect a erwards?

• You will be advised to stay in bed and lie flat for 4 hours.

• Secure the nephrostomy drainage bag to your thigh or below the knee depending on tube length. It is important NOT to leave the bag hanging as this may cause the tube to become displaced or to fall out • The bag should be emp ed depending on urine output.

• The nephrostomy dressing should be changed every 7 days.

• You may shower a er 24 hours a er the tube has

been inserted but try to keep the tube site dry and you can protect the skin with plas c wrap during showering.

• Swimming is not recommended with a nephrostomy tube in place.

What are the possible complica ons?

Minor bleeding from the kidneys should se le within 72 hours. Please inform your doctor if it does not.

Nephrostomy is a safe procedure, but rarely, complica ons may occur. These can include the following: • Severe abdominal pain • Blockage • Infec on • Bleeding from the kidney • Adjacent organ injury In case of a complica on, our team will be there to take care of you. At Shaukat Khanum Hospitals, we take all possible measures to ensure that all procedures are safe and comfortable for our pa ents.

Seek care right away Seek medical care right away if you have any of the following symptoms a er nephrostomy: • Severe bleeding • Displacement/Dislodgement of the tube • Significant decrease in blood pressure.

Are there alterna ves to nephrostomy?

If the kidney is blocked and infected there is no effec ve alterna ve to having a nephrostomy.

If the kidney is blocked but not infected, one alterna ve is placement of a ureteric stent instead of a nephrostomy.

Your doctor will discuss which op on best suits your condi on. If you have any queries, please feel free to discuss with your doctors.