Self-retaining barbed suture during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the safety and feasibility of self-retaining barbed absorbable suture application in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). Materials and methods: From January 2010 to September 2014, 38 cases of LPN were performed at Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan. The patients were divided into two groups: the nonself-retaining barbed suture (non-SRBS) group (n = 21) and the SRBS group (n = 17). There was no significant difference in age, RENAL (Radius, Exophytic/Endophytic properties, Nearness of the tumor to the collecting system or sinus, Anterior/Posterior, Location relative to polar lines) nephrometry score, and tumor type between the two groups. Clinical data and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Results: All 38 cases of LPN were successfully performed, without conversion to open surgery or serious intraoperative complications. In the SRBS group, renorrhaphy time and length of hospital stay were significantly shorter than those of the non-SRBS group (p = 0.015 and p = 0.009, respectively). Conclusions: The application of SRBS in LPN could shorten renorrhaphy time and hospital stay with good safety and feasibility.