title: Accurate control of the superficial and deep dorsal veins during radical retropubic prostatectomy: the Münster clamp technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To better control the superficial and deep dorsal veins during radical retropubic prostatectomy and, thus, to reduce blood loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  A surgical technique is described which introduces a modified Babcock clamp to fully encompass all tissue above the prostatic capsule. In a prospective protocol, 30 consecutive patients (median age 64.5, range 57-76 years) were randomly assigned to either the standard technique or the Münster clamp method. Blood loss was estimated for the entire phase from teasing away the periprostatic fat until the apex had been mobilized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median hemorrhage was 950 (range 300-2,100) ml for the standard technique and 800 (range 200-1,750) ml for the clamp procedure (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p = 0.17).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Münster clamp technique can reduce hemorrhage during radical retropubic prostatectomy. This method is easy to apply and is also suitable for cystoprostatectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany. hans-peter.schmid@kssg.ch
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Semjonow
authors.forename: Hans-Jürgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Piechota
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hertle
mesh_terms: D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013525:Surgical Instruments