THE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS INDWELLING JJ STENTS ON RENAL PELVIC PRESSURE AND RENAL PARENCHYMAL THICKNESS IN THE PIG

Objective To determine whether indwelling JJ stents significantly alte r renal pelvic pressure and consequently have deleterious effects on r enal function. Materials and methods Thirteen piglets were used totall ing 26 renal units. Using an open, sterile surgical procedure, 23 rena l units were stented with 6 F JJ catheters of eight different types; t hree renal units were not stented and served as controls. Intra-pelvic pressure values during diuretic stress were measured before and after 6 weeks of intubation. The kidneys were then removed and sent for pat hological evaluation of renal parenchymal thickness. Results A marked increase in intra-pelvic pressure values was found in two of the 19 st ented renal units suitable for this measurement. A significant reducti on (more than one third with respect to the control values) in renal p arenchymal thickness was found in six of the 21 stented renal units su itable for this measurement, three of which had been intubated with a Cook polyurethane stent and three with an Angiomed Puroflex stent. Con clusion In the present experimental study some JJ stents seemed to cau se long-lasting changes in renal pelvic pressure and consequently to h ave deleterious effects on renal function. Although experimental findi ngs are not always fully related to clinical practice, a knowledge of the potential effects of these prostheses is essential to minimize com plications related to their use.