Diagnosis of renal parenchymal diseases by a modified open kidney biopsy technique

Abstract

A modified open renal biospy technique was performed under local anesthesia on 129 patients over a 10-year period. This technique yielded sufficient tissue to establish a diagnosis for every patient. The mean number of glomeruli obtained was 54 ± 3; the mean duration of the operation was 71 ± 2 min. No deaths resulted and only one major complication developed following this procedure which required additional surgery. Two patients required blood transfusion following surgery and both had a bleeding abnormality. The results demonstrate that the modified open renal biospy technique is a safe and reliable procedure and should be performed whenever the precutaneous route is either unsuccessful or contraindicated.