Use of a barbed suture for continuous urethro-vesical anastomosis during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Excerpt

A continuous urethro-vesical anastomotic suture (as described by Van Velthoven [1]) is usually employed during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) to provide a watertight repair and, consequently, achieve a lower risk of anastomotic contracture [2]. However, maintaining tension on the suture, thereby ensuring apposition of the bladder and urethra, can be challenging. There is some evidence indicating that the use of a new barbed suture facilitates this procedure and shortens anastomotic time [3‐5]. However, the barbed suture is more expensive than conventional sutures, and the results of one study suggest that its use may lead to tissue necrosis and hence a higher rate of urine extravasation post-operatively [6]. …