Use of a sponge stopper for placement of urethrovesical anastomotic sutures after radical prostatectomy or enterocystoplasty.

Vesicourethral anastomosis during radical retropubic prostatectomy or enterocystoplasty is often difficult because of poor visualization and collapse of the urethral stump. We have attempted to use a sponge stopper to facilitate urethral suture placement for vesicourethral anastomosis. The technique for use of a sponge stopper is described.