Consolidation in renal disease treatment

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33066, 6 November 1972, Page 19

Consolidation in renal disease treatment

There had been no advances in the treatment of renal diseases in the last three years to compare with advances made in previous years; rather there had been a consolidation of the understanding of the value of kidney transplants and the use of artificial kidney machines, Dr P. J. Little, head of the renal department of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, said on his return from overseas.

Dr Little was away for three months on a Wolfson Fellowship awarded by the New Zealand Post Graduate Medical Federation. He visited Europe, Britain, the United States, and Mexico, and for the last two weeks taught in the Fijian Medical School in Suva.

Dr Little thought that interest in the field of renal medicine was turning more to the understanding of the treatment of early kidney disease rather than concentrating on the advanced stages.

He said he gained valuable ideas for continuing and expanding the research programme in Christchurch but saw no reason why local methods of treatment should be changed at present.

“I am satisfied that the standard of renal medicine throughout New Zealand is high, perhaps equal to anywhere in the world,” said Dr Little. “This is especially so in the availability of treatment for patients.” Dr Little said there were developments occurring which would be watched closely; and the results of recently instituted therapeutic trials — assessments of new forms of treatment — were awaited with interest. He said that there were many forms of kidney disease which in the past were untreatable, but there were now indications that it might be possible to treat some of those. One of the highlights for Dr Little was attending the Fifth International Congress of Nephrology in Mexico City.

There were about 3000 renal physicians present from most countries of the world.

The congress was held in the medical school, which

had an auditorium seating 3000 and facilities for the instant translation of three languages — French, English and Spanish. In addition, 12 smaller meetings were held simultaneously with up to 400 persons attending each. The congress covered all aspects of renal medicine and was opened by the President of Mexico who took the opportunity to announce the formation of an Institute of Nephrology which would be based on the famous Mexican Institute of Cardiology, said Dr Little. A Melbourne doctor, Dr P. Kincaid-Smith, was installed at the congress as the new president of the International Society of Nephrology.