Animal Experimental Study to Test Application of Intelligent Pressure Control Device in Monitoring and Control of Renal Pelvic Pressure During Flexible Ureteroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of intelligent pressure control devices (medical irrigation and suctioning platform with pressure feedback function, and suctioning ureteral access sheath with pressure-measuring function) in flexible ureteroscopy for monitoring and control of renal pelvic pressure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine pigs with a total of 18 kidneys were randomly divided into 3 groups according to varied renal perfusion flow rates: group A, 50 mL/min; group B, 100 mL/min; and group C, 150 mL/min. A ureteral catheter connected to an invasive blood pressure monitor was retrogradely placed to the upper renal calyx to measure upper calyceal pressure; the suctioning sheath was connected to a 3-channel tubing and was connected to an invasive blood pressure monitor; and the platform and renal pelvic outlet pressure was measured. Perfusion flow, intraluminal pressure control, and warning values were preset on the platform. A flexible ureteroscope was inserted into the upper, mid, and lower renal calyces, and to the front end of the sheath, respectively, each location was irrigated for 5 minutes, and pressure was measured every second.

RESULTS: No statistical significance was found between monitor renal pelvic outlet pressure and platform renal pelvic outlet pressure for each group, or between platform renal pelvic outlet pressure and upper renal caliceal pressure for each group at different locations when varied irrigation flow rates were used, or among groups for platform renal pelvic outlet pressure at various irrigation flow rates.

CONCLUSION: The intelligent devices used in the flexible ureteroscopy can reliably and stably monitor and control the renal pelvic pressure within a safety range.