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A review on the most important aspects of acute postsurgical noninflammatory renal failure is given. New aspects have arisen especially in regard to the pathogenesis and treatment of the syndrome. In spite of the efforts to present a complete survey special attention has been attached to clinical aspects and treatment of acute postsurgical noninflammatory renal failure in order to inform those surgeons who, in acute cases cannot call for the assistance of a nephrologist with modern facilities.

From 1960 until 1975 we treated 88 children with acute renal failure. The majority of these patients were infants and children up to three years. In this report the etiology, symptomatology and prognosis of acute renal failure in childhood are discussed. During the last years the cases observed were more severe, especially when associated with the haemolyticuraemic syndrome. The overall mortality was 27%, and did not change since the introduction of dialysis. Important prognostic factors are discussed.

A prospective study was carried out in 81 patients to compare the ability of colour coded Doppler sonography (angiodynography) and Tc bolus examination for demonstrating renal blood supply. In patients with normal transplant function both methods performed equally well. In anuric patients angiodynography was superior to the Tc bolus examination: In three cases angiodynography was able to provide important additional information such as absence of blood flow in peripheral intrarenal vessels or missing blood supply of a transplant pole. Angiodynography seems to be able to replace the Tc bolus examination; this statement excludes very obese patients until low-frequency probes for angiodynography will be available.