Simultaneous balloon occlusion of the renal artery and hypothermic perfusion in in situ surgery of the kidney.

Renal ischemia and cooling may be achieved by intraluminal balloon occlusion and intermittent hypothermic perfusion using a double lumen, balloon-tipped catheter introduced into the renal artery percutaneously. This technique was used successfully in 26 of 31 extensive nephrolithotomies, eliminating the need for dissection and clamping of the renal artery and intricate surface cooling. Intrarenal operations could be performed as effectively as with clamp occlusion. Despite a mean ischemia time of 54 minutes the individual 131I-hippuran clearance of the operated kidneys was only reduced to a mean 78.4 per cent of the preoperative value 2 to 3 weeks postoperatively and increased to 92.2 per cent after 3 to 6 months, with a tendency toward further improvement.