Assessing the Impact of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Nephrostomy on Patient Outcomes in Low-Resource Settings: Experiences from Northern Nigeria

Purpose: Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) is a procedure that decompresses or provides access to the renal collecting system. There is a shortage of data about the complications and outcomes of PCN in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to provide insight into the complications and outcomes of PCN in Nigeria.  Methods and materials: This prospective study included 55 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided PCN. Serum creatinine levels were measured pre-procedure and at intervals of one day, one week, and one month post-PCN. The patients were followed after the procedure to evaluate for post-procedural complications and changes in renal function. The categorical data was expressed as proportions and percentages. The student’s t-test compares means between groups for continuous variables. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were 32 male patients and 23 female patients. Up to 80% of patients had bilateral PCN. Some patients (27.2%) developed minor complications such as pain, wire impaction, bleeding, or vomiting. During the late post-procedure and follow-up periods, 72.7% had no complication, 12.7% had dislodged tube(s), 10.9% had unilateral tube blockage, and 1.8% had bilateral tube blockage. The study also showed a significant reduction of serum creatinine in 80% of the subjects. 12.7% of the patients died, 5.5% of patients were lost to follow-up, and 1.8% had fluctuating creatinine levels.  Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided PCN is a viable technique or an effective technique with a low rate of serious complications. When performed appropriately in the right clinical context, it significantly improves patient outcomes.