Return of renal function after relief of obstruction

Authors investigated the degree of restoration of renal function in 30 patients after relief of unilateral obstruction of different duration and degree. In order to evaluate the renal function they investigated the distal-tubular functions. Separated renal function examinations were made with the help of nephrostomical catheters, which were inserted partly with diagnostical partly with therapeutical purposes. The same parameters of the opposite kidney served as control. After relief of obstruction the examinations were repeated weekly in order to evaluate the repair of renal function. Based on their results, it was established that the degree of glomerular filtration is unchanged even after a month. The concentrating and acidifying ability of the kidney showed a further tendency to repair as compared to the values measured a week after relief. Not even a parameter changed in the following period over a month. They have the opinion that, contrary to the results of animal experiments, the values measured after a week of relief of obstruction are not final ones. In most cases 3 or 4 weeks are necessary for the kidney to reach a constant renal function on the basis of which a definitive operation plan can be made.