LAPAROSCOPIC ARGON BEAM COAGULATION - IMPLICATIONS FOR RECONSTRUCTIVEUROLOGY

Argon enhanced coagulation is now available for laparoscopic utilizati on. Despite widespread acceptance and popularity for open surgical pro cedures, the safety and efficacy of the argon beam coagulator for lapa roscopic procedures is unknown. We report a preliminary study on argon enhanced coagulation during complex reconstructive genito-urinary pro cedures in a canine model, The safety, utility, and tissue effects fro m laparoscopic argon enhanced coagulation during 12 radical prostatect omies and four augmentation cystoplasties comprise the study. Gross an d histological examination of anastomoses/suture lines following micro surgical reconstruction are analysed.