We evaluated the efficacy of wrapping the kidney with semi-elastic Vicryl mesh for control of hemorrhage and preservation of renal function following grade III kidney lacerations (shattered kidney) in dogs in which nephrectomy was indicated clinically. Wrapping of fragmented kidneys resulted in prompt, sustained hemostasis and reapposition of the renal parenchyma. At an average of 80 days after injury the renal lacerations were well healed. The Vicryl mesh had been fully reabsorbed and there was considerably less scar tissue at the site of parenchymal rupture and neither perirenal or intrarenal abscess nor hematoma was found, grossly or microscopically. Among 12 dogs with grade III kidney lacerations, the mean ratio of the effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) in the affected kidney to the ERPF in the uninjured contralateral kidney was 0.53 +/- 0.22. The mean ratio of creatinine clearance of the injured kidney to that of the uninjured contralateral kidney was 0.41 +/- 0.23. Changes in the serum renin levels were not statistically significant following injury. Our results seem to confirm that simple and rapid surgical treatment of severely shattered kidneys using semi-elastic Vicryl mesh is possible. The method may also be suitable for uncontrollable bleeding during nonextirpative kidney surgery.