Nephrostomy
This procedure is performed when the kidneys and ureters are blocked and unable to drain urine into the bladder, usually due to stones or other other processes such as cancer or scarring. A small drainage catheter is inserted through the skin and into the kidney with precision by using image guidance. This will alleviate the obstruction by allowing urine to drain into an external collection bag. Sometimes internal stents will be placed to bypass the obstruction and permit eventual removal of the external nephrostomy tube and collection bag.
