Laparoscopic tissue approximation

Although many extirpative urologic laparoscopic procedures are starting to be generally accepted, there is limited application of recontructive urologic laparoscopic procedures. Difficulties with laparoscopic tissue approximation account for a large portion of the slow development of recontructive laparoscopic urology. In this paper, the current state of laparoscopic tissue approximation is reviewed, research efforts in this area are summarized, and future directions are considered. The discussion addresses available techniques and devices, as well as those in development for future application.