Percutaneous needle nephrostomy.

Percutaneous nephrostomy is a simple technique for temporary drainage of an obstructed kidney. Under local anaesthesia a ureteric catheter is passed through a Vim-Silverman needle into the renal pelvis and is connected to a drainage bag. Seven cases (six successful) in which this method was used are described and the indications are discussed. It has been free from complications, is acceptable to patients, and is felt to represent a useful addition to the methods available for the treatment of obstruction of the upper urinary tract.