Ureteral repair with titanium staples: Comparison with suture closure

Ari K. Leppäniemi*, David C. Wherry, Emmanouil Pikoulis, Howard V. Hufnagel, Nancy Fishback, Norman M. Rich

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives. Vascular closure staple (VCS) clips made of titanium were initially developed for microvascular anastomoses with little knowledge of their effectiveness in larger tubular tissue structures. This study compares VCS clips and sutures in the closure of longitudinal ureterotomy incisions. Methods. In 9 pigs, 1-cm-long anterior, longitudinal ureterotomy incisions were randomly assigned to closure with either 4-0 interrupted polyglactin sutures or VCS clips. Results. Clip closure was significantly faster (74±28 versus 534±182 seconds). All 18 ureters were patent and without signs of leakage, calculus formation, or stenoses after 3 months. Clip closure resulted in slightly but not statistically significantly less narrowing of the duct lumen, but there was no difference in wall thickness at the repair site. At histologic examination, all 18 incisions heated without signs of acute inflammation or marked fibrosis. Conclusions. Ureterotomy closure with VCS clips results in wound healing that is as effective as suture closure, with a comparable degree of narrowing. The time required for clip closure is only about 1/7 that required for suture closure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)553-557
Number of pages5
JournalUrology
Volume51
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1998
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ureteral repair with titanium staples: Comparison with suture closure'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this