Transrenal percutaneous treatment of urinary fistula. Apropos of 19 cases

: Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) was used to treat 16 ureteral fistulas, two ileal fistulas following ileo-cystoplasty, and one pelvic fistula. Discharge resolved in all cases. PCN alone achieved complete recovery of the ileal and pelvic fistulas. Insertion of a wire-guide through the fistula into the bladder and stenting of the ureter for 5 to 20 days with a 8 to 10 F multi-side-hole catheter was possible in 12 of the ureteral fistulas and ensured complete recovery in every case. Because of complete stenosis, this procedure failed in the four other cases of ureteral fistula, and surgery was therefore required. Transrenal percutaneous treatment of urinary fistulas is a simple, effective procedure requiring only local anesthesia, and can be recommended in recently operated patients, and when retrograde catheterization is inadvisable (ileo-cystoplasty).