Comparison among modalities of normothermic renal ischemia selective, non-selective and intermittent in rabbits

INTRODUCTION: The time limit of renal ischemia with no permanent damage to renal function still remains as a pertinent question in urologic surgical practice. Several procedures require a bloodless surgical field most of time needing an interruption of blood flow to the renal parenchyma and they can require hilum control and clamping. This study assessed which normothermic clamping technique is superior in order to preserve kidney function. METHODS: In this project, 28 New Zealand rabbits were distributed in four groups by randomization and submitted to laparotomy and blood flow interruption of left kidney: Group 1 - Control, no ischemia (four animals), Group 2 Selective ischemia (eight animals), Group 3 Nonselective ischemia (eight animals) e Group 4 intermittent nonselective ischemia (eight animals). The animals were submitted to renal scintigraphy with mercaptoacetiltriglicin (MAG3) and serum creatinine analysis preoperatively and at days 1, 3 and 7 after left hilum clamping. The animals were submitted to nephrectomy and immediately sacrificed and the kidneys subjected to blinded evaluation by a nephropathologist. RESULTS: Renal scintigraphy showed equal damage in the three groups in first 24 hours, with no statistical difference in loss of left kidney function (p= 0,165) in this period. At third day examination, there was statistical difference (p= 0,006) between the nonselective group (3) and intermittent one (4), demonstrating a superiority of declamping factor in renal function protection. At seventh postoperative day, selective group (2) proved to be better (p< 0,001) than nonselective one (3), however there was not statistical difference between group 2 and the intermittent group (4). The intermittent clamping group was also superior to group 3 (p< 0,001). Histopathology and serum creatinine did not demonstrate statistical difference among groups. Functionally, selective and intermittent warm ischemia techniques are better than nonselective one. CONCLUSION: The model used in this study presented a superiority of selective clamping and intermittent arteriovenous clamping in shielding the renal function. No difference occurred between selective clamping and intermittent nonselective one