Laparoscopic Vascular Control Techniques in Donor Nephrectomy: Effects on Vessel Length

BACKGROUND: Various techniques for vascular control have been used during urologic laparoscopic procedures. The importance of optimizing the vessel length and securing reliable vascular control are critical for procedures like laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. We aimed to determine the length of vessel lost by using 4 common techniques of vascular control in a fresh human cadaveric vascular model. METHODS: The techniques include application of 2 nonabsorbable polymer-ligating clips (10-mm Hem-o-Lok MLX Weck Closure Systems, Research Triangle Park, NC), Endo-GIA II stapler (30-mm length, 2.5-mm staples, Auto Suture, US Surgical, Norwalk, CT), Endopath ETS35 stapler (35mm length, 2.5mm staples, Ethicon Endo-Surgery), and the Endo Ta-30 stapler (30-mm length, 2.5-mm staples, Auto Suture, US Surgical, Norwalk, CT). RESULTS: The Endo-TA-30 stapler and the polymer clips resulted in significantly less compromise of the vessel length, when compared with the other methods of vascular control. CONCLUSIONS: The Endo-TA-30 stapler and the polymer clips can be applied during laparoscopic procedures where optimizing vascular length is important.