Minimizing knot tying during reconstructive laparoscopic urology.

OBJECTIVES: Intracorporeal knot tying during urologic reconstructive surgery is one of the most technically challenging skills of laparoscopic surgery. We describe our experience using the Lapra-Ty clip to substitute for knot tying.
METHODS: Our technique for minimizing knot tying entails the use of the Lapra-Ty clip during closure of the collecting system and renal parenchyma for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, the vesicourethral anastomosis during robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, and the collecting system during laparoscopic pyeloplasty. From October 2002 to July 2005 at our institution, 75 patients underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, 300 underwent robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, and 14 underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty. We reviewed the charts retrospectively for intraoperative and postoperative parameters related to the use of these clips.
RESULTS: In the laparoscopic partial nephrectomy group, the mean tumor size, warm ischemia time, and estimated blood loss was 2.53 cm, 30.1 minutes, and 189 mL, respectively. Two postoperative urine leaks (2.7%) developed, and 3 patients experienced postoperative bleeding (4%). In the robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy group, the mean operative time was 295 minutes and the mean estimated blood loss was 303.6 mL. Only 3 patients had a urine leak (1%), and 4 patients had bladder neck contracture (1.3%). With regard to the laparoscopic pyeloplasty group, the mean operative time and estimated blood loss was 224 minutes and 36 mL, respectively. No intraoperative complications or urinary leaks occurred.
CONCLUSIONS: Using the Lapra-Ty clip, we have safely and efficiently supplemented knot tying in patients undergoing reconstructive laparoscopic surgery.