Renal microvasculature following papillary resection.

Surgical papillectomy was performed on 39 rabbits. Microvasculature initially remained normal. After cortical fibrosis occurred, a diversion of the blood flow from the cortex to the medulla was noted. Cortical atrophy following papillary loss is not secondary to microvasculature insufficiency, but is a consequence of obstruction of the collecting ducts. The physiologic changes which follow papillectomy are due to interruption of the loops of Henle and cortical scarring.