title: Acucise endopyelotomy in a porcine model: procedure standardization and analysis of safety and immediate efficacy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study here presented was done to test the technical reliability and immediate efficacy of the Acucise device using a standardized technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  56 Acucise procedures were performed in pigs by a single surgeon who used a standardized technique: insert 5F angiographic catheter bilaterally up to the midureter, perform retrograde pyelogram, Amplatz super-stiff guidewire is advanced up to the level of the renal pelvis, angiographic catheters are removed, Acucise catheter balloon is advanced to the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) level, the super-stiff guide-wire is removed and the contrast medium in the renal pelvis is aspirated and replaced with distilled water, activate Acucise at 75 watts of pure cutting current, keep the balloon fully inflated for 10 minutes, perform retrograde ureteropyelogram to document extravasation, remove Acucise catheter and pass an ureteral stent and remove guide-wire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In no case did the Acucise device present malfunction. The electrocautery activation time was 2.2 seconds (ranging from 2 to 4 seconds). The extravasation of contrast medium, visible by fluoroscopy, occurred in 53 of the 56 cases (94.6%). In no case there was any evidence of intraoperative hemorrhage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed that performing Acucise endopyelotomy routinely in a standardized manner could largely preclude intraoperative device malfunction and eliminate complications while achieving a successful incision in the UPJ. With the guidelines that were used in this study, we believe that Acucise endopyelotomy can be completed successfully and safely in the majority of selected patients with UPJ obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Federal University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil. c.andreoni@attglobal.net
authors.forename: Cássio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andreoni
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Srougi
authors.forename: Valdemar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Ralph V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Clayman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D013552:Swine; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*