A nephrostomy or percutaneous nephrostomy is an artificial opening created between the kidney and the skin which allows for the urinary diversion directly from the upper part of the urinary system (renal pelvis).[2] It is an interventional radiology/surgical procedure in which the renal pelvis is punctured whilst using imaging as guidance. Images are obtained once an antegrade pyelogram (an injection of contrast), with a fine needle, has been performed. A nephrostomy tube may then be placed to allow drainage.[3]
An urostomy is a related procedure performed more distally along the urinary system to provide urinary diversion.
^Young, Michael; Leslie, Stephen (2022), "Percutaneous Nephrostomy", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID29630257, retrieved 2023-11-24
^Longmore M, Wilkinson I, Turmezei T, Cheung CK (2007). Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine (7th ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 731. ISBN978-0-19-856837-7.