title: Application of a temporary ureter clamp for retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy is a new option to treat upper and middle ureter calculi in selected patients. However, migration of the stone and the flow of urine will influence the success.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have developed a new and practical method using a clamp proximally above the stone to fix its position and prevent urine flow. Twenty patients had undergone retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy using this method. A bulldog artery clamp was used as the temporary clamp and was placed at the proximal part of the ureter during the procedures of incision, intubation and suture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of the patients was 42.5 years (range: 26-73) and the average stone size was 13.7 mm (range: 10-28). The average operating time was 38.2 min (range: 30-85). All target stones were successfully extracted without major complications. The average time of post-operation drain removal was 1.5 days. No case of prolonged urine leakage or ureter stricture was recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that using a temporary ureter clamp is a feasible and practical method to fix the stone and minimize the difficulty of retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 600 Tianhe Road, 510630 Guangzhou, China. xingqiaowen@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Xingqiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Xiaojuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Situ
authors.forename: Youqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xingxing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ruan
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003250:Constriction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014513:Ureter; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods