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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: May 19, 2022
Three Types of Intravesical Hem-o-Lok Clip Migration After Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
Chih-Chin Yu1, Cheng-Kuang Yang1, Yen-Chuan Ou1
1Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital , Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China .
Background:
Hem-o-Lok® clips (HOLCs) (Weck® Surgical Instruments, Teleflex Medical, Durham, NC) are widely used for controlling the lateral pedicles in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, but intravesical HOLC migrations have been reported in more and more studies. This study aimed to summarize clinical presentations, management, and outcomes of these patients.
Materials And Methods:
Six patients with intravesical HOLC migration were retrospectively identified from 750 consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy between 2005 and 2014 performed by a single surgeon. The PubMed database was also searched for Hem-o-Lok clip migration after laparoscopic prostatectomy.
Results:
The incidence of intravesical HOLC migration in this study was 0.8% (6/750). In total, 22 patients were reported, including six from the current series. Three types of migrations were classified: Type I migration resulted in obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms 2-8 months after prostatectomy, whereas Type II migration led to stone formation, gross hematuria, or bladder spasm; in Type III migration, patients had spontaneous expulsion of the HOLC weeks after surgery.
Conclusions:
Although the incidence of intravesical HOLC migration is relatively low, Type I migration with long-term sequelae remains a concern. The use of HOLCs adjacent to anastomosis should be minimized, and any loose clip must be retrieved to reduce complications.
