Aid to stabilize hinged Strauch clamp during microvasovasostomy.

Urologists using the large and small Strauch clamps for microvasovasostomy have found that these clamps allow splendid visualization of the end and mucosa-lined lumen of each vas. However, an assistant must stabilize the clamp by holding it while in the "folded" position or else both the clamp and the ends of the vas will move when the sutures are placed in the mucosal lining of the lumens and in the muscular wall of the vas. A simple clamp holder has been designed to stabilize the "folded" Strauch clamp while these sutures are being placed. After the initial "critical" sutures are placed to line up the lumen of each end of the vas, the clamp is unfolded and used in the straight position for placement of the remaining necessary muscular sutures. This allows the surgical assistant to have two free hands rather than one and greatly reduces difficulties with keeping the vas in focus while placing the initial critical sutures.