Retained tubes - a nightmare in urology

Patients undergoing urological procedures fail to undergo tube removal at appropriate time and they present themselves after many years with Retained tubes. These Retained tubes continue to remain one of the biggest problems in the urology care at the present outset inspite of all the effects taken to prevent it. In our medical college we retrospectively reviewed our institute database from june 2013 to dec 2018 for retained tubes like ureteral stents, urethral catheters, suprapubic catheter and nephrostomy tubes. Total of 18 patients presented with retained tubes .11 were with retained ureteral stents ,5 were with urethral catheters,1 with retained suprapubic catheter and 1 with nephrotomy tube. 5 retained ureteral stents patients were managed by simple ureterorenoscopy and stent removal.3 patients required ESWL and URS with stent removal,3 patients needed PCNL with ESWL. Retained urethral catheters were managed with cystolithotripsy and tube removal .Patient with retained suprapubic catheter was managed with open vesicolithotomy . Patient with Retained nephrostomy tube required a nephrectomy .All the patient was free of stone symptoms on follow up and two of them were chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. we hereby conclude that retained tubes can be managed with appropriate technique. But patient education and awareness to consult at right time for tube removal is the most important factor in preventing the morbidities because of these retained tubes.