What is a Nephrostomy?Urine normally drains from your kidneys into your bladder through a narrow tube (ureter). The ureter can become blocked, stopping the urine draining into your bladder. In this case you may need a nephrostomy inserted. This is a small thin tube that is inserted directly into your kidney through the skin of your back, so that urine …
Read moreHaving a testicular (varicocele) embolisation
19th March 2018What is a Varicocele? A varicocele is an abnormality of the veins that take blood away from the testicle. A series of one way valves in the vein prevent the reverse flow of blood back to the testicles. These one way valves sometimes fail, and the reverse flow of blood stretches and enlarges the tiny veins around the testicle which …
Read moreFistulogram fistuloplasty
19th March 2018What is a fistulogram/fistuloplasty? An AV (arteriovenous) fistula is a surgical connection between an artery and vein created for haemodialysis. It helps to transfer blood into the dialysis machine and back again during haemodialysis. A Fistulogram is a procedure that looks at the vessels of the fistula in detail to see if there are any problems with it. A Fistuloplasty …
Read moreColorectal stent insertion
19th March 2018What is a Colorectal Stent Insertion? The colon is a muscular tube that connects the bowel to the rectum. If it becomes blocked or narrowed, there will obviously be a problem with movement of faecal matter (poo) through the body. One way of overcoming this problem is by inserting a metal, mesh tube called a stent across the blockage. Faecal …
Read morechange of nephrostomy
19th March 2018What is a change of Nephrostomy?This is when the tube that you have in your kidney to drain urine externally into a bag needs to be changed. Why do I need a change of Nephrostomy? Your nephrostomy tube requires changing on a regular basis for a number of reasons: The urine can become gritty and block the tube. The tube …
Read moreAngioplasty
19th March 2018What is an Angioplasty? An Angioplasty is a way of opening up a blockage or narrowing in an artery without having surgery. A fine plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted through a blockage or narrowing of an artery and a special balloon on the catheter is then inflated to open up the vessel and allow blood to flow through. …
Read moreOesophageal stent insertion
19th March 2018What is an oesophageal stent insertion? The oesophagus (gullet) is a hollow, muscular tube which takes food from the mouth down to the stomach. If it becomes blocked by a tumour or narrowed following radiotherapy (stricture) this causes a problem with swallowing. One way of overcoming this problem is by inserting a stent. Food can then pass down the oesophagus …
Read moreBiliary drainage and stenting
19th March 2018What is percutaneous biliary drainage? The liver produces bile which aids digestion of fats. The bile flows through a series of small tubes (ducts) that drain into one large duct called the common bile duct, which then empties into the duodenum, the first part of the small bowel after the stomach. Bile is also stored in the gallbladder. If part …
Read moreAngiogram
19th March 2018What is an angiogram?An angiogram is used to take detailed pictures of arteries using x-ray guidance. Normally blood vessels do not show up on x-rays. However by injecting a special fluid called contrast medium (sometimes also called an x-ray dye) into an artery through a special fine tube called a catheter as you are being x-rayed, detailed images of your …
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