Methods of vascular control during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Vascular control during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) requires expeditious control of the renal artery and vein while preserving maximum graft vascular length. The vascular stapler with three rows of staples on either side of the division has been widely used, but it loses more vascular length than other methods. In the accompanying video, we illustrate vascular control with the different staplers and locking polymer clips. The techniques include two nonabsorbable polymer ligating clips (10-mm Hem-o-Lok; MLX Weck Closure Systems), the Endo-GIA Universal stapler (35-mm length, 2.5-mm staples; Autosuture), and the Endo-TA 30 stapler (30-mm length, 2.5-mm staples; Autosuture). In an in-vitro study, we previously determined that the Endo-TA 30 stapler and the polymer clips resulted in significantly less compromise of the vessel length compared with the other methods of vascular control. LDN has been recently included by the clip manufacturer as a contraindication for the use of the polymer locking clips. The Endo TA stapler can be used when preservation of maximum graft vascular length is important.