Percutaneous nephrectomy in nonfunctioning kidneys: a preliminary report.

Nephrectomy is indicated for the removal of highly damaged kidneys. Several times patients are asymptomatic, and although the operation has a low morbidity rate they will refuse it. The development of new endourological techniques of percutaneous access to the kidney in experimental studies on liquefaction and aspiration of tissues, and the idea taken from the old resectoscope models using nonelectrical aids served to inspire our technique of percutaneous nephrectomy. Our patient presented with a nonfunctioning kidney due to ureteral obstruction and ultrasound demonstrated a severe decrease in renal parenchyma. Percutaneous access to the kidney was performed through the conventional manner and the remaining parenchyma was removed with biopsy and Lowsley forceps. Bleeding was minimum and a 22F nephrostomy Foley catheter was kept in place for 72 hours. As far as new instruments are developed, percutaneous nephrectomy represents a surgical option to remove nonfunctioning kidneys in highly selected patients.