KIDNEY RETRIEVAL AFTER ENDOSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY

Laparoscopic or retroperitoneoscopic interventions such as nephrectomy or tumour nephrectomy call for the removal of large quantities of tis sue which can no longer be extracted via the relatively confined lumen of a cannula. For this purpose, a variety of organ retrieval systems have been designed and are commercially available with the aim of safe tissue retrieval, This paper summarizes the results of an experimenta l and clinical comparison of the most important organ entrapment syste ms suitable for endoscopic nephrectomy. The LapSac(R) was the first or gan bag especially designed for laparoscopic nephrectomy. Despite vari ous new modifications of this entrapment system, it still represents o ne of the best alternatives and has been used worldwide with success. However, due to its simplicity it requires laparoscopic expertise. New ly developed retrieval systems (i.e. LapBag(R), Extraction Bag(R)) off er some advantages regarding the handling of the bag which may be part icularly useful during retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy with a restric ted working space. Retrieval systems (i.e. Endobag(R), Endopouch(R)) w ith low resistance to tear forces or being permeable for tumour cells or bacteria (i.e. Espiner Bag(R)) cannot be recommended for endoscopic nephrectomy.