Use of a bipolar sealing device to seal partial cystectomy with and without augmentation with a single-layer simple continuous suture pattern in an ex vivo canine model.

Objective: To evaluate the ability of a bipolar sealing device (BSD) to seal canine bladder tissue and to determine the influence of suture augmentation on resistance to leakage of sealed partial cystectomies.

Study Design: Ex vivo, simple randomized study.

Sample Population: Urinary bladders harvested from canine cadavers (n = 23).

Methods: Partial cystectomy of the cranial third of each bladder was performed with a BSD. This seal was augmented with a simple continuous pattern of 4-0 polydioxanone in half of the specimens. A pressure transducer inserted through the ureter measured intraluminal pressure at initial leakage and catastrophic failure as dyed saline was infused via a catheter inserted through the urethra. Initial leakage pressure and pressure at catastrophic failure were compared between sutured and nonsutured sealed partial cystectomies.

Results: Sutured sealed cystectomies showed initial leakage at lower pressures compared to non-sutured cystectomies (8.6 vs. 17.7 mm Hg; P = .0365) but were able to sustain greater pressures at catastrophic failure (34.3 vs. 21.8 mm Hg; P = .007). Catastrophic failure occurred along the seam of all nonsutured sealed cystectomies and at the suture holes in 10 of the 12 sutured bladders.

Conclusion: Partial cystectomies were effectively sealed with a BSD in this canine cadaveric bladder model. Augmentation with a simple continuous suture pattern increased the pressure at which catastrophic leakage occurred but lowered initial leak pressure.

Clinical Significance: This study provides evidence supporting the evaluation of BSD use for partial cystectomy in live animals.