Percutaneous Ureteral Elevation in Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Radical Nephrectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To describe our technique of suture-assisted ureteral retraction during Laparoendoscopic Single-Site (LESS) radical nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A healthy, 39-year-old woman with an incidental 5-cm enhancing left renal mass elected to undergo radical nephrectomy. A 2-cm skin incision was made in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, and a Covidien SILS port was introduced using standard Hasson techniques. Straight and angled laparoscopic instruments were used to mobilize the kidney outside of Gerota's fascia. To place the renal vessels on stretch and facilitate hilar dissection, the ureter and lower pole attachments were encircled with a 0-Vicryl suture inserted percutaneously via a disposable fascial closure device. The kidney was bagged and removed intact. RESULTS: The procedure was performed without complication with a total operative time of 265 minutes. EBL was minimal at 25mL. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 1, and final pathology revealed stage pT1b chromophobe renal cell carcinoma with negative surgical margins. CONCLUSION: LESS radical nephrectomy is feasible in select patients. Suture-assisted retraction of the ureter and lower pole attachments using a fascial closure device facilitates safe dissection and control of the renal hilum.