Renal Surgery Using in Situ Hypothermia

Chang, See Kook; Cho, Kyu Hong

Abstract

An in situ hypothermia technique allows ample exposure for a precise and bloodless dissection as well as ample protection against ischemia and blood loss in the surgical management of renal parenchyma. The saline slush method is simple and requires material that is readily available in standard operating rooms. Renal parenchymal surgery using in situ hypothermia was performed on 23 patients, 18 with renal calculi and 5 with renal injury, during 4 years period from June, 1976 to Mar, 1980. Partial nephrectomy was done in 12 patients, extended pyelolithotomy with nephrotomy in 5, nephrolithotomy in 3 and bivalve nephrolithotomy in 3. There was no morbidity related particularly to this hypothermia technique, however, in 4 out of 18 renal calculous patients remnant calculi were detected on postoperative study.