Preoperative renal embolization as adjunct to radical nephrectomy.

Radical nephrectomy preceded by preoperative renal artery embolization using Gianturco-Anderson-Wallace steel coils has objective value as determined by comparing records of 15 patients who had adjunctive embolization with 15 patients who did not. Embolization of the major renal artery facilitated surgery allowing initial renal vein ligation resulting in reduction of blood loss and operative time. The described experience and current literature review support adjunctive embolization and document minimal risk to the patient.