RADICAL CYSTECTOMY USING ENDOSCOPIC STAPLING DEVICES - PRELIMINARY EXPERIENCE WITH A SIMPLE AND RELIABLE TECHNIQUE

Purpose: We introduce a new technique to decrease operative time and b lood loss during radical cystectomy. Materials and Methods: We used en doscopic stapling devices for secure hemostasis, as well as rapid divi sion of the bladder and prostatic lateral ligaments, and the deep dors al vein complex during radical cystectomy in 16 patients with bladder or urethral cancer compared to 11 who underwent cystectomy via a conve ntional method, consisting of incision and ligation with sutures. Resu lts: In most cases the endoscopic staplers were useful for sufficient hemostasis and rapid division of the ligaments and/or venous plexus. M ean total operative time with the stapling. technique was significantl y shorter than that with the standard technique (p = 0.003), and mean total blood loss was less than with the standard technique but the dif ference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Although our s tudy was not designed in a randomized manner, we believe that endoscop ic stapling devices facilitate radical cystectomy.