Preoperative embolization of renal tumours using balloon catheters

Preoperative embolization was used in a series of 13 patients for reducing the bleeding during operation of even very large renal carcinomas. During and after embolization pain occurred which necessitated treatment. Balloon catheter embolization was used which excludes the risk of reflux of embolizing material to the aorta. It caused none or only minor injury to the renal arterial wall. No serious complication occurred.