V02-11: Nephrostomy Balloon & Sheath Suprapubic Tube Placement: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Large Caliber Suprapubic Tube Placement

Kevin Flynn*, Charles Schlaepfer, Faizan Khawaja, Bradley Erickson, Iowa City , IA

Introduction: Suprapubic tubes (SPT) are a vital tool in the management of complex urologic voiding conditions. There are numerous methods of SPT placement, each with pros/cons: peel-away kits are easy to place, but often have small caliber SPTs i.e., 12 or 14 Fr, prone to kinking, that require serial upsizing to achieve the desired caliber; open SPT placements permit an initial large caliber SPT but are more invasive, particularly in obese patients.  This video demonstrates a minimally invasive technique for SPT placement in patients with preserved urethral access to the bladder that safely allows for initial, precise placement of large caliber (=20F) catheters using the Nephromax© nephrostomy balloon and sheath (NBS-SPT).

Methods: Technique: A 6” 17G Tuohy© spinal needle is placed percutaneously 3 cm above the pubis (generally in the abdominal crease), 1-2 cm off midline towards the side the patient prefers to keep the drainage bag. The needle is angled to enter the bladder dome in the midline, which is visualized cystoscopically with a full bladder. (NOTE: This angling decreases catheter kinking). The stylette is removed and a stiff wire is advanced. A 2 cm horizontal skin incision is made. A 24 Fr NBS is advanced into the bladder under vision and inflated to 18 ATM. The balloon is then deflated/removed and the SPT is passed through the sheath into the bladder. Once inflated, the sheath removed and the SPT is secured to the skin. Study: A 10-year retrospective review of NBS-SPT placements at a single institution was performed, analyzing patient characteristics, surgical details, and surgical outcomes.

Results: NBS-SPT was attempted 65 times over the study period. Indications included acquired/congenital neurogenic bladder (48%) and urinary retention (25%). A simultaneous additional procedure (e.g. cytolitholapaxy, bladder neck incision) was performed in 31% of NBS-SPTs.  Median BMI was 29.5 (IQR: 25-33.9) and 34% had prior abdominal procedures. Median operative time (NBS-SPT only) was 16 minutes (IQR 14-20). All procedures were successful in placing a catheter =20 Fr. 30-day Clavien I/II complication rate was 18% (hematuria n=3; cellulitis n=4; early SPT exchange for clogging n=5). A Clavien IIIb complication occurred in one patient with hematuria requiring fulguration. First SPT exchange in clinic was successful in 95%, with two patients requiring replacement under anesthesia.

Conclusions: NBS-SPT is a safe and efficient minimally invasive technique for initial, precise placement of large caliber SPT in patients with urethral bladder access.

Source of Funding: none