Renal cryotherapy in a sheep model; a feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of renal cryotherapy as a possible treatment of renal malignancy with preservation of renal parenchyma.


METHODS
Ten Merino sheep were anaesthetised and the right kidney was exposed through a retro-peritoneal approach. A 5 mm. cryotherapy probe (LCS 3000 Cryotec UK) was inserted into the lower pole of the kidney and freezing was undertaken to form an iceball 5 cm. in diameter.


RESULTS
There was no mortality and no complications were observed. A transient rise in creatinine was observed post-operatively. The sheep were euthenased at 4 weeks and at necropsy macroscopic examination revealed a contracted, fibrotic wedge shaped lesion of 3 cm in diameter. Histological examination of the "cryolesion" revealed a central area of coagulative necrosis and a 5 mm rim of partial necrosis with preservation of renal tubules.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that renal cryotherapy is safe and can achieve effective renal necrosis in the sheep model.
Cozzi
P J
PJ
University Department of Surgery, University of New South Wales, St. George Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Lynch
W J
WJ
Collins
S
S
Vonthethoff
L
L
Morris
D L
DL
D000818:Animals; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012756:Sheep