Transvesical Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Management of Distal Ureter During Laparoscopic Radical Nephroureterectomy

Objective: To describe the management of the distal ureter during radical nephroureterectomy with the transvesical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (T-LESS) approach. Methods: Between January 2010 and October 2013, five patients underwent laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC) with the T-LESS approach. Patients were placed in the supine position. A 2.5-cm skin incision was made in the line between the pubis and the umbilicus. The bladder was identified and a multiport was inserted into the bladder. The patients were repositioned to a lateral decubitus position; pneumovesicum was established and the ureteral openings were identified. We marked the bladder cuff with electrocautery all the way through to the extravesical fat. The bladder defect was sealed with sutures. After checking for any leak or bleeding, the multiport was removed and the bladder was closed. At this point, we continued with nephrectomy by standard laparoscopy or LESS. A 18F Foley catheter was placed into the bladder. Results: The mean age was 70 years (range 58–81 years), the mean operative time was 198 minutes (range 115–390 minutes), the mean time for the management of the distal ureter was 35 minutes (range 27–45 minutes), the mean estimated blood loss was 234 mL (range 60–850 mL), and the mean hospital stay was 3.8 days (range 2–8 days). In all patients the bladder cuff was free of disease. Conclusion: The transvesical laparoendoscopic single-site approach to the distal ureter for UTUC appears safe and reproducible, with faster closure of the bladder defect and improved cosmesis.