Transluminal dilatation and stent placement in obstructed ureters in dogs through the use of percutaneous nephropyelostomy.

Through an artificially created ureteral obstruction in the dog, a ureteral stent was placed with the aid of a percutaneous nephrostomy tube. The stent was removed after two weeks. This resulted in permanent relief of the obstruction in the treated animals. In contrast to this, the control animals remained completely obstructed with resultant hydronephrosis and loss of kidney. It is proposed that this method can be used in humans where nephropyelostomy had been placed and where surgical correction of the obstructed ureter is not feasible.