The influence of catheter type, the number of sutures and patients' age on percutaneous nephrostomy displacement.

Abstract

Background: Percutaneous nephrostomy displacement results in procedure failure, reducing quality of life in patients with hydronephrosis. Scarce data about factors influencing displacement led to evaluation of our data in order to give better insight into this topic.

Patients and methods: Patients admitted for percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) exchange between March 3^rd and October 3^rd 2023 were included in our prospective observational study aiming to determine possible factors influencing PCN displacement. Catheter type, number of sutures and patients' age over 70 years were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square test were used; value less than 0.05 was determined as statistically significant.

Results: We included 57 patients (35 males; mean age 71.4 years) in the study. Loop catheters with strings were implanted 58 times and without strings 17 times. Fixation was achieved by 55 single and by 20 double sutures. 17 PCN (22.7%) were displaced in designated period. The mean time from PCN implantation to exchange was 4.16 months. Neither catheter type, number of sutures or patients' age significantly influenced PCN displacement (chi-square 0.57, 0.34 and 0.61, respectively).

Conclusions: No significant difference in PCN displacement between two types of catheters and the number of fixing sutures was detected. Elderly patients had similar rates of PCN displacements as younger ones. The most important causes of PCN displacement remained probably patients' activity and a care for PCN during months after the implantation. Proper patients' education and care of the PCN are possibly the keys for long-term success.