An experimental model for extracorporeal renal surgery: ex situ removal of artificially induced renal staghorn calculi in ambiothermia.

An experimental model for the evaluation of surgical techniques and preservation in extracorporeal surgery is described: staghorn calculi were induced in 15 dogs by the injection of methylmethacrylate into the renal pelvis. Removal of the calculi was carried out 3-4 weeks later on a workbench, using microsurgical techniques and ex situ radiographies. 15 min of warm ischaemic and 6 h of ambiothermic preservation were well tolerated as could be demonstrated by determination of the serum creatinine following autotransplantation and immediate contralateral nephrectomy.