Vascular control of the renal pedicle using the hem-o-lok polymer ligating clip in 50 consecutive hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomies.

Objective: A crucial step in laparoscopic nephrectomy is control and ligation of the renal pedicle. Commonly, an endovascular gastrointestinal anastomosis (GIA) stapling device, titanium staples, or both is employed for vascular control. Herein, we report on the use of the Hem-o-Lok polymer ligating clip (Weck Closure Systems, Research Triangle Park, NC) for the routine control of the renal pedicle (both venous and arterial) during hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomies.

Methods: From March 2001 to December 2002, 50 hand-assisted simple or radical nephrectomies were performed by a single surgeon. The Hem-o-lok polymer ligating clip was utilized exclusively for ligation of the renal pedicle, with placement of two clips on the patient's side and one distally on the specimen side.

Results: Vascular control was achieved safely in all cases. Neither slippage nor complications were found in any of these cases.

Conclusions: Vascular control of the renal pedicle via the Hem-o-Lok polymer ligating clip is safe and dependable for laparoscopic radical/simple nephrectomies.