The flank approach to the porcine upper urinary tract: safe and reliable

An extra-peritoneal flank approach was used to gain access to the left pelviureteric junction of 8 young pigs. The operative procedure was simple and took 15 min to complete. There were no serious complications, analgesia requirements were negligible and all animals re-established on feeds within 12 h post-operatively. The operative procedure is described; due to the above considerations the flank approach to the porcine kidney can be recommended.