New use of foley catheter for exposing the urethral stump during vesicourethral anastomosis in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

摘要

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique to facilitate the urethral stump exposure and aid the suture placement of vesicourethral anastomosis during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 10-F Foley catheter is introduced in an antegrade fashion via the 12-mm suprapubic midline port into the urethral stump. The catheter balloon is positioned in the bulbous urethra and inflated with 2 mL of sterile water. With the balloon inflated, the Foley catheter can be gently pulled by the laparoscopic forceps, and thereby the urethral stump is everted and becomes clearly visible. RESULTS: Six patients underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with this technique. No complications developed during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a Foley catheter for laparoscopic vesicourethral anastomosis is simple and easy and provided good surgical results in our experience.