The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2FQ Birmingham
Nephrostomy
PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROSTOMY
If your urine is being blocked by stones or other obstructions, inserting a tube into your kidney can help to drain it
About your kidneys
Urine is produced in the kidneys. It then passes into the bladder through muscular tubes called 'ureters'. Sometimes, clots, cancers or kidney stones can block one or both ureters. This stops urine from leaving the body naturally.
A nephrostomy can help to drain urine from the body using a thin plastic tube called a catheter.
Need to know
Your consultant will use an X-ray or ultrasound to find the best place to insert the catheter. They will then numb an area of skin on your back using a local anesthetic, before inserting the tube into the affected kidney. The catheter will drain urine from the kidney into a bag, which can be worn under your clothes. Your consultant will explain how often and for how long you'll need a nephrostomy.
Your consultant will explain the procedure and how to prepare for it. They will also be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise.
Our Nephrostomy locations
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.