New use of foley catheter for exposing the urethral stump during vesicourethral anastomosis in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a technique to facilitate the urethral stump exposure and aid the suture placement of vesicourethral anastomosis during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A 10-F Foley catheter is introduced in an antegrade fashion via the 12-mm suprapubic midline port into the urethral stump. The catheter balloon is positioned in the bulbous urethra and inflated with 2 mL of sterile water. With the balloon inflated, the Foley catheter can be gently pulled by the laparoscopic forceps, and thereby the urethral stump is everted and becomes clearly visible.

RESULTS

Six patients underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with this technique. No complications developed during follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of a Foley catheter for laparoscopic vesicourethral anastomosis is simple and easy and provided good surgical results in our experience.