Broken and retained percutaneous nephrostomy malecot catheter: A lesson of awareness

Abstract

After the first description of percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) in 1955 by Goodwin et al. it has become commonest & well-tolerated procedure. It is now well-established technique for urinary drainage, urinary diversion, and for access to the collecting system. But it is not free of complications. Significant hemorrhage, perforation of the intra-abdominal organs & septicemia are among the major complications and minor complications mostly catheter-related like catheter dislodgment, hematuria catheter site infection & catheter blockage are mentioned in literature. Although far from being life-threatening, broken and retained nephrostomy catheter is a rare complication. We report such a rare case of a broken and retained Malecot nephrostomy catheter which was retrieved by percutaneous nephrostomy surgery and by open method.