The use of a laparoscopic bulldog clamp to control the dorsal vein complex during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a novel technique

To describe a novel technique to control dorsal vein complex (DVC) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). We have been using a laparoscopic bulldog clamp to control DVC before apical dissection and urethral division. Data of 50 patients who underwent DVC control with laparoscopic bulldog clamp (group 1) were retrospectively compared with 50 consecutive patients in whom DVC was controlled with suture ligation (group 2). In the bulldog and suture groups, 30 and 31 patients underwent concomitant bilateral extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), respectively. Operative and anastomosis time, estimated blood loss (EBL), apical surgical margin positivity, and early continence rates were evaluated. Patients in the bulldog group had significantly shorter operative time compared with patients in the suture group (146.8 vs 178.4 min, P=0.0005). Anastomosis time was significantly shorter in the bulldog group (12.3 vs 15.5 min, P=0.002). There was no difference in EBL between the groups (185 vs 184.2 mL). Immediate, postoperative first and third month continence rates were 62% vs 44%, 74% vs 60%, 90% vs 74% in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Although continence rates were better in favor of the bulldog group at each evaluation period, the difference did not reach statistical difference. None of the patients in both groups had apical surgical margin positivity. The use of a laparoscopic bulldog clamp to control DVC was associated with shorter operation and anastomosis time and a trend toward quicker recovery of continence. This technique provides clear vision during apical dissection and urethral division while potentially minimizing the external sphincteric trauma. Prospective randomized trials are needed for better evaluation of this technique.