Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy: Initial laboratory experience

Nephroureterectomy was performed using laparoscopic techniques in seven adultfemale pigs. In all cases, kidneys were dissected without significant bleeding. A cuff of bladder was excised along with the distal ureter in each case. The mean dissecting time of the kidney was 98 min while the dissection of the ureter required an additional 74 min. The bladder was closed using one of a variety of instruments: a GIA stapler, titanium clips, or an Endoloop. Clinical application awaits improvement in instrumentation forclosure of the bladder and the development of an entrapment sack impermeable to cells.