A new technique for end-to-end ureterostomy in the rat, using an indwelling reabsorbable stent.
The restoration of the continuity of the urinary tract represents one of the major problems in rat renal transplantation. End-to-end ureterostomy is the most physiologically effective technique; however, it involves noteworthy technical difficulties because of the extremely thin caliber of the ureter in the rat and the high incidence of postoperative hydronephrosis. We describe a new technique for end-to-end ureterostomy in the rat, where the use of an absorbable ureteral stent is recommended. A 5-0 plain catgut thread is used as a stent. The anastomosis is performed under an operating microscope at X 25-40 magnification with interrupted sutures of 11-0 Vicryl. The use of the indwelling stent facilitates the performance of the anastomosis and yields optimal results. The macroscopical, radiological, and histological controls in a group of rats operated on with this technique showed a very high percentage of success with no complications, a result undoubtedly superior to that obtained with conventional methods.
D000818:Animals; D002398:Catgut; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery*