Mechanical circular stapler device loaded with nonabsorbable titanium staples for ileo-prostate capsuloplasty following prostate capsule sparing cystectomy: initial experience in cadavers.

PURPOSE: Mechanical linear staplers have been safely used in urology with an acceptable 0% to 7.9% rate of stone formation in long-term follow-up. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of using mechanical circular stapler devices to perform ileocapsuloplasty following cystoadenomectomy in cadavers. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Three unfrozen cadavers were used in this study. The prostate was enucleated and removed along with the bladder, leaving an ample cavity wherein the 21-mm anvil could be easily accommodated. A 2-0 purse string suture was then placed at the prostate capsule rim and tightly tied around the anvil. Following this, the circular stapler device was introduced into the neobladder through its opened limb and the center rod of the stapler device was passed through an opening made at the most dependent portion of the pouch where another purse string suture was placed and tied around it. Finally, the center rod of the stapler was connected to the anvil and fired, thus completing the anastomosis. RESULTS: The procedure was feasible in all cases and 2 intact rings of prostatic capsule and bowel tissue were obtained, thus attesting the integrity of the anastomoses. Retrograde injection of methylene blue reassured that a watertight anastomosis was achieved whereas cystoscopic and macroscopic examination of the anastomotic site demonstrated a wide patent anastomosis in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Use of mechanical circular stapler to perform ileocapsuloplasty in cadavers is feasible and has potential advantages such as decreased anastomotic time, diminished chances of urinary extravasations, and reduced degree of difficulty.

In-vitro renal shrinkage after hypertonic saline perfusion for organ removal during laparoscopic nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the possibility of shrinking the kidney by perfusion with hypertonic solution to facilitate organ removal in laparoscopic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After 18 open nephrectomies (ONs) in 9 pigs, one of four saline solutions (5%, 7.5%, 10%, and 15%) was infused through a catheter into the renal artery for 5 minutes in four kidneys each. The volumes and weights of the kidneys were measured before and after renal perfusion; the kidneys were then sent for histologic evaluation. Eight ONs were performed, and the kidneys were removed from the abdominal cavity in a plastic bag in order to mimic organ entrapment during laparoscopy. The kidneys were perfused with hypertonic solution and were again put in a plastic bag and removed from the same animal's abdomen through another incision. The incisions were measured with calipers before and after extraction of the unperfused and perfused organs. RESULTS: The kidneys that underwent perfusion with 5% saline had the greatest decrease in both weight and volume, an average of 16% and 17.8%, respectively. The average incision needed for extraction of unperfused kidneys was 44.9 mm (range 40-58 mm), whereas the mean size of the incision needed to remove perfused kidneys was 26.6 mm (range 20-30 mm) (P < 0.001). The relative reduction in the necessary incision size therefore was 44.3% (range 33.3%-55%). CONCLUSION: Perfusion with 5% saline is able to shrink the kidney volume slightly with mild histologic changes. In the pig, it is possible to decrease the renal incision necessary for kidney removal by 44% using this method.

Laparoscopic-assisted radical cystectomy with U-shaped orthotopic ileal neobladder constructed using nonabsorbable titanium staples.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, nonabsorbable staples have been safely used in a variety of urologic open and laparoscopic extirpative and reconstructive procedures. We report the surgical steps of our technique of U-shaped orthotopic ileal neobladder created with titanium staples. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Using stay stitches, a 45 to 50-cm ileal segment is arranged in a U shape with two segments of approximately 20 cm and an afferent limb of 5 or 10 cm. An opening is made at the lowest point of the U-ileal segment on its antimesenteric border. The jaws of the 80 x 3.5-mm nonabsorbable mechanical stapler are accommodated within the bowel loop and fired twice, bringing together and detubularizing approximately 15 cm of each arm of the U. To complete the pouch detubularization, another small opening is made at the bottom of the chimney on its medial border. After this, a third nonabsorbable mechanical stapler had its jaws introduced through this opening and through the open end of the bowel segment on the right side and the stapler is fired, completing the U pouch. Subsequently, the open ends of the U segment and the opening made at the base of the afferent limb are closed with absorbable running sutures. CONCLUSIONS: Our technique is feasible and may represent an alternative to expand the spectrum of continent urinary reservoirs that could be expeditiously created with nonabsorbable staples. Continued surveillance is mandatory to determine the lithiasis-inducing potential of these titanium staples within the urinary tract.

The Boatman's knot: a single knot for renal-vein ligation during laparoscopic nephrectomy: description of technique and evaluation of feasibility and safety.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The endovascular stapler is the standard of care for renal-vein ligation during nephrectomy, but recently, some reports have addressed the need for lowering the costs in the operating room. The authors describe the first use of "boatman's knot" in renal-vein ligation during laparoscopic nephrectomy and tests of its safety and feasibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen bilateral laparoscopic nephrectomies were performed in female pigs. On the right side, the renal vein was ligated with the boatman's knot, and on the left side, the vein was ligated with conventional intracorporeal technique. The knots were performed by the same surgeon at initial laparoscopic training. The time required to tie the knots was measured. After bilateral nephrectomy, a midline incision was created, and the bursting pressure of the knots was measured with a manometer by saline infusion into the vena cava. RESULTS: The average knot-completion time was 45 seconds (range 30-50 seconds), and the average time needed to carry out the conventional suture was 202.5 seconds (range 186-228 seconds). After renal-vein transection, there was complete hemostasis in all cases. The mean bursting pressure was 179.9 mm Hg (range 126-304 mm Hg). In five cases, the rupture site was in a lumbar vein previously sutured, while in three cases, the rupture happened in the vena cava itself. CONCLUSION: The boatman's knot is feasible, safe, easy to learn, and faster than conventional intracorporeal suturing. This technique may replace the endovascular stapler. However, its clinical applicability remains to be determined.

Laparoscopic assisted radical cystoprostatectomy with Y-shaped orthotopic ileal neobladder constructed with non-absorbable titanium staples through a 5 cm Pfannensteil incision.

INTRODUCTION: We performed a laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy followed by constructing a Y-shaped reservoir extra-corporeally with titanium staples through a 5-cm muscle-splitting Pfannenstiel incision. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Upon completion of the extirpative part of the operation, the surgical specimen was entrapped and removed intact through a 5-cm Pfannenstiel incision. Through the extraction incision, the distal ileum was identified and a 40 cm segment isolated. With the aid of the laparoscope, the ureters were brought outside the abdominal cavity and freshened and spatulated for approximately 1.5-cm. Bilateral double J ureteral stents were then inserted up to the renal pelvis and the ureters were directly anastomosed to the open ends of the limbs of the neobladder. Following this, the isolated intestinal segment was arranged in a Y shape with two central segments of 14 cm and two limbs of 6 cm. The two central segments were brought together and detubularized, with two sequential firings of 80 x 3.5 mm and 60 x 3.5 mm non-absorbable mechanical stapler (Multifire GIA--US Surgical) inserted through an opening made at the lowest point of the neobladder on its anti-mesenteric border. The neobladder was reinserted inside the abdominal cavity and anastomosed to the urethra with intracorporeal laparoscopic free-hand suturing. CONCLUSION: Although this procedure is feasible and the preliminary results encouraging, continued surveillance is necessary to determine the lithiasis-inducing potential of these titanium staples within the urinary tract.

Laparoscopic assisted radical cystoprostatectomy with Y-shaped orthotopic ileal neobladder constructed with non-absorbable titanium staples through a 5 cm Pfannensteil incision

INTRODUCTION: We performed a laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy followed by constructing a Y-shaped reservoir extra-corporeally with titanium staples through a 5-cm muscle-splitting Pfannenstiel incision. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Upon completion of the extirpative part of the operation, the surgical specimen was entrapped and removed intact through a 5-cm Pfannenstiel incision. Through the extraction incision, the distal ileum was identified and a 40 cm segment isolated. With the aid of the laparoscope, the ureters were brought outside the abdominal cavity and freshened and spatulated for approximately 1.5-cm. Bilateral double J ureteral stents were then inserted up to the renal pelvis and the ureters were directly anastomosed to the open ends of the limbs of the neobladder. Following this, the isolated intestinal segment was arranged in a Y shape with two central segments of 14 cm and two limbs of 6 cm. The two central segments were brought together and detubularized, with two sequential firings of 80 x 3.5 mm and 60 x 3.5 mm non-absorbable mechanical stapler (Multifire GIA - US Surgical) inserted through an opening made at the lowest point of the neobladder on its anti-mesenteric border. The neobladder was reinserted inside the abdominal cavity and anastomosed to the urethra with intracorporeal laparoscopic free-hand suturing. CONCLUSION: Although this procedure is feasible and the preliminary results encouraging, continued surveillance is necessary to determine the lithiasis-inducing potential of these titanium staples within the urinary tract.

The "boatman's knot": a new option for renal hilum ligation during laparoscopic nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: The authors present and describe an original adaptation for the use of "boatman's knot" in renal vein ligation during laparoscopic nephrectomy. This procedure may replace the need for the endovascular stapler, which is considered the standard of care, but not available in several institutions in Brazil. The knot presented is also known as the "pig's knot" in several farms in Brazil. METHODS: Fourteen laparoscopic nephrectomies were performed by the same surgeon in a standard fashion in seven female pigs. Both the renal artery and vein were ligated using the "boatman's knot" as the only method for hemostasis with conventional intracorporeal technique. Two knots were applied in each artery and vein; one knot was tied proximally and the other distally. The vessels were then sectioned in between both knots. This technique is based on the intracorporeal confection of two loops by the right hand pair of dissectors with the help of the left hand. The arteries and the veins were then sectioned and the capability to accomplish full hemostasis was observed. RESULTS: All the laparoscopic nephrectomies were performed successfully. The "boatman's knot" was performed by the same surgeon with neither complications nor difficulties during the confection of the knot. In all cases hemostasis was fully achieved using only the "boatman's knot" as the hemostatic method. CONCLUSION: The "boatman's knot" is feasible and safe for hilum control during laparoscopic nephrectomy in pigs and total hemostasis can be achieved using it as the only method of hemostasis. However, the safety and the capacity of others to learn how to apply it should be tested before it may be advised to use it routinely.

The boatman's knot: a new option for renal hilum ligation during laparoscopic nephrectomy

OBJETIVO: Os autores apresentam e descrevem uma adaptação original para o uso do nó de barqueiro na ligadura da veia renal durante a nefrectomia laparoscópica. O procedimento pode substituir a necessidade da sutura mecânica endovascular, considerada o tratamento padrão, mas não disponível em muitas instituições no Brasil. Este nó é tembém conhecidocomo "nó de porco" em várias fazendas no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Quatorze nefrectomias laparoscópicas foram realizadas pou um único cirurgião utilizando a técnica padrão em sete porcas. A veia e a artéria renal foram ligadas utilizando o "nó de barqueiro" como o único método de hemostasia. Dois nós foram colocados tanto na artéria quanto na veia renal, um deles proximal e o outro distal, e os vasos seccionados entre os nós. Esta técnica é baseada a confecção intra-corpórea de duas alças pela mão direito com um par de pinças, com o auxílio da mão esquerda. Após a secção dos vasos, as condições da hemostasia foram observadas. RESULTADOS: Todas as nefrectomias laparoscópicas foram realizadas com sucesso. O "nó de barqueiro" foi realizado pelo mesmo cirurgião sem complicações nem dificuldades, obtendohemostasia completa em todos os casos como técnica única. CONCLUSÃO: O nó de barqueiro é uma técnica factível e segura para o controle do hilo renal durante a nefrectomia laparoscópica em porcos. Entretanto, a eficácia e segurança desta técnica deve ser avaliada por outros cirurgiões antes da recomendadção do emprego na prática clínica.