Subcutaneous urinary diversions for palliative treatment of pelvic malignancies.

Abstract

We developed 2 subcutaneous urinary diversion techniques, pyelovesical bypass and anterior cutaneous nephrostomy, to improve the quality of life of patients undergoing permanent palliative percutaneous nephrostomy. A total of 21 patients underwent either pyelovesical bypass (19) or anterior cutaneous nephrostomy (13). Technically, the percutaneous nephrostomy tube is replaced by a self-retaining expanded polytetrafluoroethylene-silicone tube tunneled underneath the skin. The distal extremity can be either introduced into the bladder, creating a pyelovesical bypass, or brought out directly through a cutaneous orifice, creating an anterior cutaneous nephrostomy. No tube was dislodged and none became obstructed due to incrustation or angulation. Standard percutaneous nephrostomy was necessary in 1 patient in each group. Improvement in the quality of life was stressed by all patients. Pyelovesical bypass eliminates external drainage and anterior cutaneous nephrostomy performed when the bladder is no longer functional allows for the creation of a single, easily dressed anterior stoma. Pyelovesical bypass and anterior cutaneous nephrostomy constitute valuable alternatives to standard permanent palliative percutaneous nephrostomy.