Transvenous perfusion cooling of the kidney: a new technique of local renal hypothermia.

In an experimental study involving ten dogs, the feasibility of transvenous perfusion cooling of the kidney is proven. The theoretical basis of this new method of regional renal hypothermia is presented; the technique is easy to perform and requires cannulation of the renal vein. The perfusate leaves the kidney either via the capsular veins which have been divided during renal exposure, or through the proposed nephrotomy. Renal vein thrombosis or tearing of the venous vasculature was not observed. The only complication encountered in one instance was hemorrhage from the puncture site of the renal vein.