Glomerular Loss After Renal Radiofrequency Ablation Are Comparable to 30 Minutes of Warm Ischemia.

PURPOSE

To compare, with stereological methods, the glomerular loss in kidneys submitted to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or warm ischemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six male pigs were divided into three groups. Eight animals were allocated in the sham group, which was submitted to laparoscopic dissection of the left renal hilum, without renal ischemia. Eight animals were allocated in the ischemia group, which had the left renal hilum clamped for 30 minutes under laparoscopic access. Ten animals were submitted to RFA of the left kidney lower pole, under laparoscopic visualization. Animals were euthanized 21 days after surgery, when kidneys were collected. Fragments of the upper pole of the left kidney were processed for morphometric analysis. Right kidney was used as self-controls for each animal. Glomerular volumetric density (Vv[glom]); volume-weighted glomerular volume (VWGV); and glomerular density were quantified by stereological methods and compared by Student's t-test and one-way-analysis of variance with Dunnett's post-test.

RESULTS

Three animals in the RFA group developed postoperative complications (Urinoma/Hydronephrosis) and were excluded from the analysis. No difference was found among the kidneys submitted to RFA and warm ischemia for all parameters. However, these kidneys showed lower Vv[glom] and glomerular density when compared to its self-controls (right kidneys), and when compared to sham-operated animals (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in regards to VWGV among the groups.

CONCLUSION

RFA in pigs determines a significant reduction of glomerular density in the remaining parenchyma. This alteration was comparable to that observed in kidneys submitted to 30 minutes of warm ischemia.