Ligation of the renal vein during laparoscopic nephrectomy: An effective and reliable method to replace vascular staplers

Purpose: Application of the endovascular gastrointestinal anastomosis stapler has become a standard procedure to control renal vein during laparoscopic nephrectomy. However, device malfunction resulting in significant complications has been reported. We present a safe and cost-effective technique for renal vein ligation during laparoscopic nephrectomy. Materials and Methods: From October 2002 to April 2003 we applied our new technique of renal vein ligation in 20 cases. After renal pedicle dissection the renal artery was secured with Hem-o-lok (Weck Closure Systems, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina) clips. The renal vein was encircled with a suture, which was knotted extracorporeally and pushed down by a knot pusher to shrivel a vein of any size. Subsequently 10 mm Hem-o-lok clips were applied to the vein to occlude it completely. Results: All procedures were successfully completed. The operative costs of vein ligation were decreased. There was no significant increase in mean operative time. Conclusions: Our approach is a safe, reliable, rapid and inexpensive method to ligate the renal vein during laparoscopic nephrectomy. Therefore, this technique has replaced endovascular gastrointestinal anastomosis stapler use at our center.