Discharge Instructions for Percutaneous Nephrostomy

You had a procedure called percutaneous nephrostomy. This means that urine was drained from your kidney to prevent pain, infection, and kidney damage. You had the procedure because your kidney or the tube leading from the kidney to the bladder (ureter) was blocked by a kidney stone or tumor, or perhaps due to another problem. The blockage caused a backup of urine in your kidney.

A thin, flexible tube called a catheter will stay in place until the problem that caused the buildup of urine has been treated. This may be as soon as a day or as long as weeks to months. The catheter bag is taped to your leg so that you can walk around.

Activity

• Rest for 24 hours after the procedure.

• Don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 3 days.

• Avoid strenuous activities for 3 days.  Examples are mowing the lawn, vacuuming, playing sports, or engaging in anything that will cause your tubing to be pulled or moved. 

Home care

• Eat your normal diet.

• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, unless directed otherwise.

• Wear loose, comfortable clothes that won’t pull or kink the catheter tube.

• Check your dressing often to make sure the tubing is secure.

• Change your dressing every 3 days unless the dressing gets wet, dirty or it falls off.

• Gently clean the skin around the catheter with mild soap and warm water. Pat dry with a clean towel.

• Hold the catheter in place.  Do not pull on the tube. 

• Don’t let the drainage bag hang freely, or it will pull on the catheter. Always keep it secured with straps to the thigh. (area above your knee)

• Empty the drainage bag when it is one-half to two-thirds full and before you go to bed.

• Measure and record the amount and color of the urine in the bag.

• If you were asked to stop any medicines before the surgery, be sure to ask the health care provider when you may restart taking them. This is especially important in the case of blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs).

• Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, Goody's or BC's for 3 days after the procedure.

If you received anesthesia or any type of sedation, follow these instructions for the first 24 hours after the procedure.

• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery. You will need someone else to drive you home.

• Do not drink any alcohol.

• Do not make any important decisions or sign legal documents.

• Have someone stay with you.

Follow-up care

You will return in 91 days for a follow-up appointment to replace the drainage tube.

Keep all follow-up appointments.

When to call your doctor

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

• A catheter that is not draining

• The catheter comes out. Do not try to put it back in.

• Pain, redness, or discharge around catheter

• Fever above 101.0°F (38.3°C)

• A noticeable increase or decrease in the amount of urine that drains

• Cloudy or smelly urine

• Urine that changes to a pink or red color

• Increased pain

• Severe pain in your side

• Nausea and vomiting