EXPERIMENTAL HYDRONEPHROSIS WITHOUT MECHANICAL OBSTRUCTION OF THE URETER

SUMMARY A functional partial obstruction of the ureter can be produced experimentally by clamping the ureter for six hours with Dieffenbach forceps. During the period of clamping there is severe local damage to the ureter, and this gives rise to a permanent disturbance of the neuromuscular mechanism at the site. The obstruction is incomplete, and can be compensated to allow a normal flow of urine down the ureter. If the contralateral kidney is present, no hydronephrosis develops in the kidney whose ureter is obstructed. When, however, the contralateral kidney is removed and the whole burden of excretion is thrown on the kidney with the partially obstructed ureter, hydronephrosis develops, though not so rapidly as after permanent ligation of the ureter.