Use of a lockable pigtail catheter (Cook Dawson‐Mueller Multipurpose Drainage Catheter) for nephrostomy reduces the risk of slippage of the catheter

ObjectiveThis study compared the outcomes of using Mac‐Loc catheters and non–Mac‐Loc catheters for percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN). Mac‐Loc catheters have a locking mechanism that forms a curl at the tip by pulling a suture and securing it in place.MethodologyThis retrospective study compared the outcomes of consecutive patients who received PCN with catheters equipped with Mac‐Loc versus those with catheters without Mac‐Loc. Catheter failure was the primary endpoint of the study and was defined as all cases of catheter malfunction after PCN. A propensity score was calculated from covariates based on clinical variables, and patients in each group were matched 1:1 based on the propensity score.ResultsDuring the follow‐up period, a total of 289 cases underwent PCN, 72 with catheters equipped with Mac‐Loc and 217 without Mac‐Loc. Failure of the catheter occurred in 63 cases (22%). There were 44 cases (70%) of slippage, 18 cases (29%) of obstruction, and 1 case (2%) of catheter rupture. After propensity score matching, catheter failure–free survival was significantly higher in the group with catheters equipped with Mac‐Loc than in the group without Mac‐Loc (P = .003).ConclusionsThe use of catheters equipped with Mac‐Loc for PCN reduces the risk of unintentional catheter slippage.