From electroureterographic experiments on 48 rabbits and on 44 patients the author established the following results.
1) The findings which can be interpreted as retrograde peristalsis of the ureter on the affected side were found in 10 of 44 patients (27.7%). Six of these patients had stones in the upper urinary tract. They represents 38% of the total patients with floating kidneys. These were cases of marked ptosis such as those accompanied by hydro-nephrosis. Retrograde peristalsis was also seen in a patient with vascular anomaly of the kidneys and in a patient who had undergone exploratory laparotomy for a gynecologic condition.
The retrograde peristalsis in the above cases disappeared postoperatively, and normal peristalsis was restored. Retrograde peristalsis was noted in 6.3% of the animals studied.
2) The electroureterogram of a megaloureter which showed no definite peristaltic wave is described.
3) Marked diminished amplitude in the peristaltic waves of the ureter was noted on the affected side in 5 out of 14 floating kidney cases (36%), in two out of 8 cases of ureterolithiasis during the interval between colic, and in one ureter of a post-hysterectomy patient. The peristaltic waves resumed their normal amplitude post operatively. This process was presented electroureterographically.
4) Increased amplitude of the peristaltic waves was noted in the healthy ureter when the contralateral ureter is in serious dysfunction. This was also observed during colic of ureterolithiasis on the affected side.
5) No specific change in the conduction rates of the peristaltic waves was affected by any of the various diseases. On the whole, however a tendency of a slower conduction in the ureter of floating kidneys on the affected side, and of a fester conduction in the ureters with stones compared with the healthy ureter was noted.
6) The normal value of the frequency of the peristaltic waves was determined. The changes in duration in the course of certain diseases are described. Namely, the frequency of the peristaltic waves was prolonged on the affected side of ureterolithiasis, and the difference in the frequency of the waves of either ureters diminished following removal of the stone. In cases of severe floating kidneys such as those accompanied by hydronephrosis, the duration of the waves was prolonged, and its recovery was found in keeping with results of other urological tests following nephropexy.
7) Waves of abnormal figurations and interval are described.
8) The discussion concerning the above subjects is presented accompanied with bibliography.