Use of ultrasonic surgical aspirator in renal surgery.

The Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) was used to fragment and aspirate normal and pathologic renal tissue. The operative blood loss utilizing the CUSA was markedly reduced compared to electrocautery or the cold scalpel. This is due to the ability of the instrument selectively to fragment and aspirate tissue with high-water content, such as renal parenchyma, while sparing tissue with higher elastin and collagen content, such as collecting system or blood vessel. The surgeon can therefore skeletonize and secure the blood vessels before they are divided.