Factors affecting tube dwelling time after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about the impact of nephrostomy tubes on morbidity and quality of life.


METHODS
The tube dwelling time and the factors influencing it were determined in 165 patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).


RESULTS
The mean tube dwelling time was 21+/-30 days. The duration of tube drainage after PCNL was 13+/-17 days. Most of this time was preoperative when the tube was inserted for urgent reasons--obstruction or sepsis (31+/-33 days). On multivariate analysis, the number of secondary PCNLs and postoperative complications were the most significant factors affecting tube dwelling time. Age correlated with intubation time but did not reach statistical significance (P < 0.09). Neither the stone's side and type nor the patient's sex had a significant influence.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant factor affecting the duration of tube drainage is preoperative medical evaluation and patient preparation, and these steps should be completed expeditiously in order to minimize the time to PCNL. Completion of PCNL in one session should shorten the postoperative intubation time.
Kleinmann
J
J
Urology Department, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
Siegel
Y
Y
Cipele
H
H
Goren
E
E
Zisman
A
A
Leibovici
D
D
Lindner
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D015505:Chest Tubes; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000009:adverse effects; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000601:surgery*