Use of Bone Wax During Laparoscopic Renal Ablative Procedures: Optimizing Port Utilization and Reducing Tract-Site Exposure

PURPOSE We describe the use of a hemostatic wax sealant during laparoscopic renal ablative procedures to allow airtight transabdominal access of the treatment probe through a standard 5-mm port. METHODS Following Tru-cut biopsy of the renal mass, Bone Wax was used to occlude the external opening of an established 5-mm laparoscopic port. The cryotherapy or radiofrequency treatment probe was then passed through the waxy material and inserted appropriately into the renal lesion while pneumoperitoneal pressure was maintained. RESULTS In all cases, the Bone Wax provided a sufficient airtight seal to allow use of the 5-mm port during ablative therapy of renal masses. CONCLUSIONS Use of Bone Wax during laparoscopic renal ablative surgery allows the use of an established 5-mm port, thus obviating a separate skin incision and reducing the tract-site exposure to the needle probe.