[Preoperative embolization of the renal artery in kidney neoplasms]

In 15 patients with extensive malignant renal tumours before operation the artery of the kidney concerned was closed by foam substance particles (ivalon) after percutaneous selective catheterisation. The occurring ischaemic pain was controllable by medicaments and eased off after hours. In most cases the nephrectomy followed on the same day, but it can be performed also on the following day. The operation was principally performed from the transverse flank cut in practically bloodless kidney. Compared with the major interventions (transthoraco-abdominal or transabdominal) of the tumour nephrectomy the procedure described in this paper as a more careful one which at the same time meets the principles of modern surgery of cancer and which can also suggested to patients suffering from a severe disease.