Emergency percutaneous nephropyelostomy: experience with 34 patients and review of the literature.

Emergency temporary percutaneous nephrophelostomy was performed 35 times in 34 patients. This procedure was used to relieve urinary tract obstruction when azotemia, infection, sepsis, or associated medical conditions precluded surgical correction of a renal obstruction. In all patients there was excellent clinical response. Supine oblique positioning in ill patients facilitates placement of nephrophelostomy tubes.