Use of the radiofrequency Caiman® Aesculap® Grasper in three different laparoscopic urologic procedures with video

Introduction: The Caiman grasper is a radiofrequency instrument that allows cutting and sealing of tissues and blood vessels, with the added benefit of a distal closure that allows a stable pressure in its 26.5mm long tip, with a less than 1mm thermic injury of the adjacent tissues, with energy regulation depending on the tissue characteristics, allowing to seal up to 7mm vessels. All the above makes dissection easier and diminishes surgical time, making the laparoscopic procedures safer and faster, including urologic surgeries.

Objective: We present a video with three different urologic laparoscopic procedures with this radiofrequency grasper as an initial experience.

Material and methods: This less than 8-minute video includes: a transperitoneal laparoscopic vesico-bladder fistula repair due to an iatrogenic obstetric hysterectomy, the second part is a transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy of a central kidney cancer, and finally an extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy. All the surgeries were performed using the CAIMAN® grasper.

Discussion: Even though this is the initial experience with this CAIMAN® sealing grasper, it proved to be efficient in upper and lower urinary tract surgeries, making the procedures safe and faster.

Conclusions: The CAIMAN® grasper is a useful laparoscopic instrument for vascular control, dissection and opening of the upper and lower urinary tract, with a mixed use of cutting and grasping instrument, which might make these and other procedures easier and more efficient.