To assess the advantages and nursing experience of foley catheter for nephrostomy tube after minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL).
 Methods: From October 2015 to April 2016, the clinical data of 137 patients, who were diagnosed with upper urinary tract calculi and need to perform mPCNL, were collected and randomized into 2 groups: a foley catheter group (research group, n=69) and a normal nephrostomy tube group (control group, n=68). The patients in research group used foley catheter for nephrostomy tube, while those in the control group used normal nephrostomy tube. Bleeding volume, the days of bleeding, pipes shedding and pain degree were compared, and the experience of the nursing process was summarized.
 Results: The bleeding volume, the days of bleeding in the research group were significantly lower than those in the control group (both P<0.01). The pipes shedding rate in the research group were lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative pain scores between the 2 groups (P>0.05). There was no other complications and discomfortable symptoms in the experimental group.
 Conclusion: The use of foley catheter for nephrostomy tube after mPCNL is safe, and it can decrease the bleeding volume and pipes shedding rate. It doesn't increase the patient's postoperative pain and can reduce the difficulty and risk for postoperative nursing.