Morphology of regressive changes in the kidney following experimental ischaemia

Total or partial renal ischaemia was studied in rats and pigs in a series of experiments, after total devascularization (ligature of renal vessels and ureter); ligature of isolated renal artery; experimental embolization of renal artery by non-resorbable material; devascularization of a specific renal segment by deep, strangulating sutures. Morphological studies showed that the resulting necrotization is represented most frequently by coagulation necrosis, less frequently by colliquating necrosis. Occlusion of the renal artery by embolization or ligature leads only to partial necrotization or atrophy. Total devascularization of the renal hilus or total devascularization of a specific renal segment by strangulating sutures leads to total destruction of the devascularized (devitalized) tissues. Within 8-12 weeks, the whole organ changes into a small residue of connective tissue. The possibility of the use of the devascularization technique in the treatment of tumours is discussed.