Retrieval of Knotted and Stripped Guidewires Lost During Percutaneous Intervention on Kidney—A Case Series and Review of Literature

Objective: The complication associated with percutaneous interventions done on kidneys are usually easily identified and managed with defined protocols. These usually include bleeding, surrounding organ injury, or sepsis. Stripping or knotting of glidewire during these procedures is rare and have no defined management guidelines. There is a paucity in the literature about the management of these complications. A case series is reported on the management of this rare complication. Methods: A case series of 3 patients is presented, with 1 patient experiencing stripping of the glidewire and the other 2 having knotting of glidewire that got stuck during the percutaneous intervention done on the kidney. The guidewires were removed percutaneously with fluoroscopic guidance, thus avoiding the more morbid procedures of open surgery. Results: The stripped and knotted guidewires were removed percutaneously under fluroscopic guidance. we did not report failure or a complication in any of the cases. Conclusion: Stripping or knotting of guidewires is a rare complication occurring during many percutaneous procedures done on kidneys. They can be safely removed percutaneously with fluoroscopic assistance and the use of conventional endoscopic equipment. Lasers play an indispensable role in the management of these complications.