Biodegradable ureteral grafts in dogs.

In six dogs, a segment of the right ureter was replaced by a tubular segment of poly [L(-) lactic acid], a new absorbable biomaterial, with the hope that the foreign body would be absorbed or dissolved after a new mucosally lined channel had formed. The dogs were followed with excretory urograms, blood urea nitrogens, and serum creatinines. Postoperatively, four of the six dogs had deteriorating or total loss of function of the right kidney by 8 months attributable to obstruction of the ureter by disintegrating implant.