Dynamics of the urinary tract in longterm vesico-ureteral reflux with infravesical obstruction and infection in pigs; V.

In a study of the dynamic function of the urinary tract in infravesically obstructed pigs with vesicoureteric reflux, 5 pigs with 6 refluxing ureters evidenced urinary tract infection after 8 and 10 weeks of obstruction. Examination showed that the median ureteric baseline activity had decreased to 0.0 A.P./min (action potentials/min). During bladder filling, no increase in activity was seen, although there was pressure equilibration between the bladder and the renal pelvis, when the reflux producing bladder pressure was reached. Only a few episodes of retrograde activity were recorded during the bladder filling. 46% of the ureteric contractions were incomplete and stopped in the mid-third of ureter. The study showed the severe, irreversible impairment of ureteric function when subjected to not only reflux and obstruction but also infection.