Ergonomic use of the fourth arm to oversew the dorsal vascular complex (DVC) during robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate an ergonomic fourth arm technique to oversew the dorsal vascular complex (DVC) during robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Balloon of a Foley catheter inflated in the bulbar urethra. Fourth arm cranial traction via suture in the tip of the catheter. DVC oversewn under direct vision.

RESULTS

Oversew of DVC with minimal patient-side surgical assistance. About a 50% reduction in apical positive margin rate.

CONCLUSION

A useful, ergonomic method of oversewing the DVC during RALP.