Nephrovesical subcutaneous stent: an alternative to permanent nephrostomy.
OBJECTIVE
We studied whether a subcutaneous ureteral bypass may be an alternative to a permanent nephrostomy tube in patients with ureteral obstruction caused by pelvic malignancy.


METHODS
Using local anesthesia we inserted an especially designed nephrovesical stent into subcutaneous tissue. The stent consists of 2 J stents that are joined by a connector after insertion into the renal pelvis and bladder.


RESULTS
In 8 patients 10 subcutaneous stents were inserted instead of a permanent nephrostomy tube. Nephrostomy was required because of obstructed ureters caused by metastatic prostate or invasive bladder cancer. Attempted Double-J stent insertion into the obstructed ureter had previously failed. The bypass has functioned well in all cases during 6 weeks to 18 months of followup (mean 5.5 months).


CONCLUSIONS
The high complication rate of a permanent nephrostomy tube and frequent rehospitalization render the subcutaneous stent an important alternative to nephrostomy. The subcutaneous stent eliminates external devices for urine drainage and improves patient quality of life.
Nissenkorn
I
I
Department of Urology, Meir General Hospital, Kfar Saba and Tel-Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, Israel.
Gdor
Y
Y
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000628:therapy*