Kidney Drain
A minimally invasive way to drain urine from the kidney
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What are Kidney Drains?
Kidney drains enter the body through a tiny hole in the back. They are used when urine from the kidney cannot drain normally through the ureter into the bladder. This can be due to a stone, scarring, infection or abnormal tissue. Backed-up urine can cause pain, infection and kidney damage.
When the drain ends in the kidney, it is called a nephrostomy tube. This allows urine to drain through the tiny hole in the back into a bag. When the drain goes through the kidney and ureter and ends in the bladder, it is called a nephroureteral tube. This allows urine to drain from the kidney into the bladder or through the tiny hole in the back into a bag.
Sometimes a tube can be placed in the ureter connecting the kidney and bladder to bypass the problem without a drain. This is called a ureteral stent. Placing the stent is not always possible or safe, which is why sometimes a drain is necessary.
Sometimes these tubes and drains are temporary until the cause of urine blockage can be treated. This may be a few weeks or months. Other people have drains for longer and need their tube changed every few months.
How are Kidney Drains put it the body?
You will lay on your belly. You will be given medicine to keep you comfortable. The clinician numbs the skin of your lower back and makes a small hole, about an eighth of an inch. The clinician slides the tube through the hole and into the kidney. They use medical imaging like X-rays and ultrasound to help them guide the drain safely. The clinician will usually connect the tube to a bag to collect your urine.
Kidney Drain
1. The clinician numbs the skin of the lower back.
2. They use medical imaging to slide the tube into the kidney through a pinhole in the skin.
3. They secure the tube and connect it to a bag to drain the urine.
What are the risks?
Placing kidney drains is generally a safe procedure when done by a specialist
2-10 in 100 people have bleeding or develop an infection.
The tube can also get pulled out of place if it is not secured properly. If this happens, it needs to be replaced.
What are the alternatives?
Your options will depend on why a kidney drain or ureteral stent is being recommended, your other health conditions, and your preferences. Your clinicians will discuss your specific options with you.
Alternative 1 Place a ureteral stent from below, through your bladder instead of through your back. This is usually done in the operating room by a urologist.
Alternative 2 Surgery to relieve the cause of the blockage. This has more risks and a longer recovery.
Alternative 3 Not doing any procedure or surgery. The risk of this depends on why the tube or stent is being recommended. There may be a risk of kidney damage or infection. These can be life-threatening.