Reconstructive urology

Abstract

Editorial CommentThis is an interesting animal model study comparing the two most common methods of nephrostomy tract dilation in USA; Amplatz sequential fascial (ASF) dilators and balloon dilators. The study aimed to determine whether any significant differences in renal trauma were present between the two techniques both acutely (immediate to 24 hours) and chronically (at 4 to 6 weeks) in pgs. The authors chosen the best animal model for this kind of analysis, since the renal collecting system, the intrarenal arteries and the kidney morphometric parameters are very similar between pigs and humans (1,2).The analysis was macroscopic and microscopic. The histologic examination at 24 hours showed no apparent differences, except for the degree of hemorrhage, which was slightly more in the ASF dilated tracts. However, in the specimen removed at 4 to 6 weeks after ASF dilation, slightly more inflammation with abscess formation was present in the ASF dilated tracts than in the balloon-dilated tracts.The slight differences were not significant and the authors demonstrated that the use of either method of dilation had no difference in terms of the degree of renal parenchymal trauma. Therefore, they concluded that the method of dilation is a matter of physician preference and experience.