Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of Routine Saline Flushing in the Prevention of Nephrostomy Tube Obstructions: A Pilot Study
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Summary
The investigators performing this research to study if routine flushing is necessary to prevent obstructions of a nephrostomy tube. This study will evaluate patients that have nephrostomy tube or will have nephrostomy tubes placed as part of their standard clinical care. If participants agree to participate in this study, participants will undergo randomized assignment to either continue to routinely flush the nephrostomy tube with normal saline or not to routinely flush the nephrostomy tube with normal saline. Participantswill be in the study for approximately 3 months if they decide to stay for the whole study.
Description
A percutaneous nephrostomy tube (PCN) is an external draining catheter that is positioned within the renal pelvis to allow urine to drain externally. PCNs may be placed for several indications including for urinary obstruction, urinary diversion, or to create an access point for endoscopic procedures. Patients often return to the interventional suite prior to their routine preventative exchange due to catheter related complications, such as dislodgement, kinking, or blockages. Often, these catheter related complications require additional procedures, which adds risk from instrumentation and se…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: • Age 18-80, with planned nephrostomy tube exchange or new nephrostomy tube placement with ongoing need for a nephrostomy tube. Exclusion Criteria: * Current local infection * History of anaphylaxis to iodinated contrast * Pregnant or intent to become pregnant during the study * Irreversible coagulopathy * Planned for definitive treatment for the clinical indication of the nephrostomy tube prior to 12-week post-intervention. * Planned routine exchange prior to 12 weeks after nephrostomy tube exchange or placement procedure * Complete sensory loss below T10 dermatome.
Interventions
- OtherNo flushing of the nephrostomy
Subjects allocated to the study intervention group will not flush their nephrostomy tube during the duration of the research study
- OtherFlushing of nephrostomy
Subjects assigned to this cohort will flush their nephrostomy catheter once daily with 10 mL of normal saline
Location
- Brigham and Women's HospitalBoston, Massachusetts