Ureteroscopy is a procedure to address kidney stones, and involves the passage of a small telescope, called a Ureteroscope, through the urethra and bladder and up the ureter to the point where the stone is located. Ureteroscopy is typically performed under general anesthesia, and the procedure usually lasts from one to three hours.
If the stone is small, it may be snared with a basket device and removed whole from the ureter. If the stone is large, or if the diameter of the ureter is narrow, the stone will need to be fragmented, which is usually accomplished with a laser. Once the stone is broken into tiny pieces, these pieces are removed.
The passage of the ureteroscope may result in swelling in the ureter. Therefore, it may be necessary to temporarily leave a small tube, called a ureteral stent, inside the ureter temporarily to ensure that the kidney drains urine well.
Ureteroscopy usually can be performed as an outpatient procedure, however; patients may require an overnight hospital stay if the procedure proves lengthy or difficult.
A percutaneous nephrostomy is a medical procedure where a thin tube (nephrostomy tube) is inserted into the kidney through a small puncture in the skin, usually in the back or flank, to drain urine. It’s used when a kidney blockage prevents urine from draining normally, causing pain or damage.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Purpose:
The main goal is to relieve urinary obstruction, allowing urine to drain and preventing further kidney damage. - Procedure:
A thin catheter (nephrostomy tube) is inserted directly into the kidney through the skin, usually guided by imaging techniques like ultrasound or X-ray. The tube is then connected to a drainage bag to collect the urine. - Why it’s needed:
- Blocked urine flow: When the ureter is blocked, urine can’t drain, leading to pain and potential kidney damage.
- Kidney stones: Large kidney stones can block the ureter, requiring a nephrostomy to drain urine.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs): A nephrostomy can drain infected urine and prevent further infection.
- Urine leaks: If urine is leaking into the body, a nephrostomy can help drain it.
Other conditions: It can also be used for diagnostic purposes or as a pathway for other procedures like stone removal.