Objective: To evaluate the safety and effect of foley catheter traction for hemorrhage after postmicrochannel percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL).
Methods: Eighty-eight patients with upper urinary calculi were collected prospectively at the Department of Urology of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from November 2010 to June 2011. The patients underwent mPCNL, and were divided into 2 groups randomly: 45 patients with 16F foley catheter but without traction served as the control group, and the other 43 patients with 16F foley catheter traction served as the experiment group. Blood loss was estimated by the mass of hemoglobin in the draining liquid and urine during postoperative duration through the HiCN. The blood loss and bleeding time were compared in the 2 groups, and analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test.
Results: There was statistical difference in the average blood loss between the control group (13.830 g) and the experiment group (7.959 g, P<0 .001). The mean bleeding time was 4 and 3 days in the control group and the experiment group respectively.
Conclusion: Foley catheter traction for mPCNL can reduce the blood loss, suggesting that Foley catheter traction is safe, effective and feasible.