A nephrostomy is a method of creating a tube to communicate with the kidney directly from outside the body. Some renal tubing procedures are followed by leaving a nephrostomy tube in place to continue the urinary drainage tube from the kidney to the outside of the body. In most cases, this is done by drilling a hole from the lumbar region all the way to the kidney and placing a drainage tube to create a tubing connection between the kidney and the outside of the body. The nephrostomy tube can be placed temporarily, as needed, and then removed at a later date when the primary disease is cured, or it can be placed for a long period of time and needs to be changed regularly when it is placed for a long period of time. Nephrostomy tubes are placed for procedures such as pyeloplasty and percutaneous nephrolithotomy, for example, a nephrostomy tube is usually placed at the end of a percutaneous nephrolithotomy to remove a stone. Nephrostomy tubes are also sometimes placed for severe hydronephrosis, hydronephrosis, cortical abscesses, and cysts. In some patients, a nephrostomy may be the only option to maintain urination and protect renal function when urine cannot be passed through the normal ducts due to distal urinary tract disease or extraductal disease.