Efficacy of Routine Saline Flushing in the Prevention of Nephrostomy Tube Obstructions: A Pilot Study
Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of Routine Saline Flushing in the Prevention of Nephrostomy Tube Obstructions: A Pilot Study
Brigham and Women's Hospital
20 participants
Jan 1, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The investigators performing this research to study if routine flushing is necessary to prevent obstructions of a nephrostomy tube. This study will evaluate patients that have nephrostomy tube or will have nephrostomy tubes placed as part of their standard clinical care. If participants agree to participate in this study, participants will undergo randomized assignment to either continue to routinely flush the nephrostomy tube with normal saline or not to routinely flush the nephrostomy tube with normal saline. Participantswill be in the study for approximately 3 months if they decide to stay for the whole study.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria1
- • Age 18-80, with planned nephrostomy tube exchange or new nephrostomy tube placement with ongoing need for a nephrostomy tube.
Exclusion Criteria7
- Current local infection
- History of anaphylaxis to iodinated contrast
- Pregnant or intent to become pregnant during the study
- Irreversible coagulopathy
- Planned for definitive treatment for the clinical indication of the nephrostomy tube prior to 12-week post-intervention.
- Planned routine exchange prior to 12 weeks after nephrostomy tube exchange or placement procedure
- Complete sensory loss below T10 dermatome.
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Interventions
Subjects allocated to the study intervention group will not flush their nephrostomy tube during the duration of the research study
Subjects assigned to this cohort will flush their nephrostomy catheter once daily with 10 mL of normal saline
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT06987877