After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

You had Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.  This procedure can be done before, after or instead of other treatments to remove larger kidney stones through an incision in your side.  During the procedure, your health care provider placed a viewing tube through your incision to see the stone.  When the stone was sighted it was shattered and a small tube was placed in your incision to carry urine away from the kidney and out of your body.  As you recover, follow the instructions below.

Activity

• Do not do any heavy lifting or straining for 4 weeks.

• Do not drive while taking pain medication.

Home Care

• It is normal for urine to leak from your incision site or around the tube.  This should lessen over time as you heal.  Once the drainage has stopped, you can leave your dressing off and apply antibiotic ointment twice a day.

• Check the incision site daily for signs of infection (redness, swelling, and hardening or increased tenderness around the wound).

• Take antibiotic and pain medication as prescribed.

• You may shower.

If you have a tube (stent) in place when you leave the hospital:

• Always wash your hands before and after handling the drain tube and drain bag.

• When you shower, wash the tubing with soap and water and rinse well.  Dry your skin and the tubing.  Replace dressing.

• Empty the bag at least twice a day or when it is full.  It is normal for the urine to be red. 

• Do not let the bag hang freely from your side and do not hook the bag onto anything stationary.

• Call your health care provider right away if you think the tube is not draining.

Follow-Up

Keep all follow-up appointments. 

If you have an internal stent (tube) in place, it will be removed at your follow-up appointment as long as the stone has been successfully removed.  Internal stents should be removed in 3-4 months. 

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Fever of 101.5°F (38.6°C) or higher, chills

• Signs of infection at the incision site (redness, swelling, hardening or increased tenderness)

• Heavy bleeding when you urinate or through your drainage tube

• Urine that starts leaking through the wound or around the tube