Single‐increment Dilatation for Percutaneous Renal Surgery: An Experimental Study

Renal nephrostomy track dilatation is an integral part of percutaneous renal surgery. The traditional method has employed sequential dilators of increasing size, or balloon dilatation. This study used a canine model to investigate the effects of single-increment renal track dilatation to 24 F and compares it with the conventional techniques. Single-increment dilatation proved to be a safe technique with minimal haemorrhage or parenchymal damage and healing at 6 weeks by a fine linear scar. It was as safe as conventional techniques. We believe this study proves that single-stage dilatation is a safe technique for use in humans.