SUBCUTANEOUS PORT FOR LONG-TERM ACCESS AND ADMINISTRATION OF TOPICAL CHEMOTHERAPY TO THE UPPER URINARY-TRACT

Fourteen silicone pigtail catheters were inserted into the renal pelve s of ten 25 kg. pigs. These catheters were connected to injection port s implanted in the flank. Each animal received 15 mg. of thiotepa, int o one port, weekly for 8 weeks. These were well tolerated. Percutaneou s radiography and histological examination showed effective distributi on of thiotepa throughout the upper urinary tract. Microscopic changes included cytoplasmic vacuolation, cystic changes and denudation of th e mucosa. There was edema and chronic inflammatory infiltrate in the s ubmucosa. This method of access to the upper tracts should be consider ed for long-term recurrent treatment of upper tract superficial transi tional cell carcinoma.