Influence of barbed suture in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

To determine the influence of barbed suture in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

A retrospective study of 150 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy was carried out by our department. The patients were divided in two groups according to the kind of suture used during the vesicourethral anastomosis: conventional 3-0 absorbable multifilament running suture (group 1) and bidirectional barbed suture (Quill®) (group 2). Operating time, postoperatory urinary fistula, hospital stay and catheter duration were analyzed in both groups.

After the analysis of all the preoperative variables, such as age, PSA, prostate volume, Gleason and stage on biopsy, no statistically significant differences were found in both groups. Operating time was significantly shorter in Group 2 (169±43 min vs 215±45 min, p=0.00). Statistically significant differences were found regarding postoperative urinary fistula rate, hospital stay and urethral catheterization duration, favourable to Group 2.

The use of bidirectional barbed suture (Quill®) for vesicourethral anastomosis in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, when compared with the conventional suture, shortens surgical time, reduces urinary fistula rate, catheter duration and hospital stay, as the anastomosis is easily performed and prevents leakage.