Compensatory capacity of the resected kidney

Summary

The functions of various parts of the kidney, following its resection and the removal of the opposite, intact kidney, were studied on four dogs with exteriorized ureters. The glomerular filtration rate and water resorption were estimated by the inulin method, renal blood flow and tubular excretion by the diodrast method. A decrease of 30–53% was noted in all the renal functions after resection of one pole of the kidney and of 45–69% following the simultaneous resection of two poles. The portion of the kidney remaining after the resection of one pole has an adequate compensatory capacity for maintaining the animal's life. The compensatory capacity of the kidney after the simultaneous resection of two poles may sometimes be insufficient for the maintenance of life.