Comparison of nonabsorbable polymer ligating and standard titanium clips with and without a vascular cuff.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of nonabsorbable polymer ligating (NPL) and titanium clips applied with and without a 1-mm vascular cuff at physiologic and supraphysiologic pressures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro equine-vessel model was created to test clip occlusion strength. Ten-millimeter NPL and standard Ti clips were applied to veins (10 mm) and arteries (10, 6, and 5 mm) with and without a 1-mm cuff and tested until they held a pressure of 300 mm Hg (veins) or 760 mm Hg (arteries) for 2 minutes or leaked. RESULTS: The NPL clip was statistically more secure on 10-mm veins with and without a cuff, 10-mm arteries with and without a cuff, and 6-mm arteries with a cuff than was the Ti clip. Leaving a 1-mm cuff resulted in a statistically higher leak point in all vessels tested except the 6-mm arteries secured with the Ti clip. CONCLUSIONS: The NPL clip was more secure than the Ti clip on larger arteries and veins. A 1-mm vascular cuff enhances the security of both NPL and Ti clips in vessels of all sizes. The NPL clip is secure and reliable in securing both arteries and veins.

Control of the renal artery and vein with the nonabsorbable polymer ligating clip in hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: The large and variable size of the renal vein has prompted most surgeons to select linear stapling devices to secure the vein during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Although effective, these stapling devices have a potential for misfire. Use of the nonabsorbable polymer ligating (NPL) clip during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy provides increased graft vessel length compared with the stapling device, and the NPL clip has a locking mechanism which may increase security compared with standard titanium clips. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the NPL clip for control of the renal artery and vein during hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 50 consecutive HALDN patients was conducted where two parallel NPL clips were used to control both the renal artery and vein. Information collected included demographic data, operative and postoperative data, and complications. RESULTS: Mean donor age was 33.4 years and body mass index was 25.8 kg/m2. Mean operative time was 266.0 min, mean hospital stay was 3.2 days, and mean warm ischemia time was 123.3 seconds. There were no transfusions, open conversions, or complications related to use of the NPL clip. A US 16,300 dollars disposable cost savings was seen during this 1-year period alone. CONCLUSIONS: The NPL clip was 100% safe and effective in controlling the renal artery and vein during HALDN, allowed for additional vessel length, and resulted in a disposable cost savings of US 362 dollars per patient.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in the porcine model using gelatin matrix hemostatic sealant without hilar occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gelatin matrix hemostatic sealant (GMHS) has been used for hemostasis during partial nephrectomy with hilar clamping. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of GMHS to achieve hemostasis without hilar clamping in the porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this feasibility study, eight farm pigs underwent a left-hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (HALPN). The lower fourth of the kidney was removed with cold scissors, and GMHS was applied laparoscopically. Samples were collected for measurement of serum hemoglobin (Hb) and creatinine (Cr) prior to surgery and at 4 and 30 days after HALPN. The kidneys were harvested at 30 days, and retrograde pyelograms and pathologic analysis were performed. RESULTS: Application of GMHS achieved complete hemostasis in all eight animals. The mean estimated blood loss was 40 mL, and the operating time was short (mean 92.5 minutes). In three kidneys, a significant collecting system opening was noted but not repaired. At harvest, there were no hematomas, infections, or urine leaks in any animals. In one animal, a 2-cm contained fluid collection was identified. There was no difference in the preoperative and harvest Hb (9.63 v 9.21 g/dL; P = 0.49), but there was a slight increase in Cr (1.21 v 1.46 mg/dL; P = 0.01) possibly because of the decreased renal mass after partial nephrectomy. CONCLUSION: Even without hilar occlusion, GMHS was 100% safe and effective in controlling bleeding after HALPN in the porcine model. Avoidance of hilar occlusion may reduce the risk associated with warm renal ischemia and the extra dissection required to isolate the hilum in preparation for clamping.

Laparoscopic warm renal ischemia in the solitary porcine kidney model.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of a laparoscopic approach on warm renal ischemia in the pig with a solitary kidney. Although the maximal safe duration for warm ischemia during open partial nephrectomy is commonly accepted to be 30 minutes, the maximal safe ischemic time during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has not been previously determined. METHODS: Sixteen farm pigs underwent unilateral laparoscopic right nephrectomy. Two weeks later, the pigs underwent complete laparoscopic mobilization of the remaining left kidney and were randomized to complete hilar clamp times of 0, 30, 60, or 90 minutes. Serum creatinine was evaluated before right nephrectomy and at days 0, 2, 4, 7, 14, and 30 after renal ischemia during laparoscopy. All renal specimens were evaluated by an experienced nephropathologist in a blinded fashion. RESULTS: The serum creatinine remained stable at all points in the control and 30-minute ischemia groups. The serum creatinine level rose initially on days 2 and 4 in the 60-minute and 90-minute ischemia groups but returned to baseline by day 7. At harvest, no statistically significant difference was found among the groups in serum creatinine or histologic features. CONCLUSIONS: Renal ischemic times up to 90 minutes during laparoscopy were well tolerated by the solitary porcine kidney. Possible explanations for this finding include the protective effect of a solitary kidney and the potential protective effect of relative ischemic preconditioning provided by the pneumoperitoneum.