Selective hypothermic perfusion of the kidney for intrarenal surgery

Clinical experience and physiological consideration of selective hypothermia for conservative renal surgery are described. While surface cooling is satisfactory for relatively short ischaemia times, continuous renal perfusion via catheters offers the best wash-out and a completely bloodless field for lengthy surgical procedures. This is demonstrated by a comparison of three different methods of renal hypothermia in somewhat similar cases. During the last 6 years we have successfully used a continuous perfusion technique by direct introduction of catheters into the renal vessels in 16 selected cases. Advantages and drawbacks of this method are discussed.