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Ski Needle / J-Hook Needle

The ski / J-hook needle has a comparatively straight shaft with a short distal curve, unlike a deeply curved full arc. In one published posterior substitution-urethroplasty technique, the surgeon bends one needle of a 5-0 double-armed PDS suture slightly to make this shape for deep proximal apical graft sutures.[1]

Where it is useful​

  • Dorsal-onlay BMG repair for posterior urethral stenosis, including selected BNC / VUAS cases: grasp the needle parallel to the driver, pass it outside-in at the junction of the healthy proximal urethra and graft bed, and use a second driver to retrieve the tip. See the Dorsal Onlay BMG atlas.[1]
  • For a very deep proximal defect the same authors describe the RD-180 suturing device (LSI Solutions) as an alternative for apical placement. The paper does not compare the two.[1]

Video Demonstration​

The operative video below is reported to show the ski / J-hook needle beginning at 3:07.

Membranous urethroplasty for strictures after TURP or radiation
WARWIKI operative video; ski needle segment reported to begin at 3:07

References​

1. Kaldany A, Cedars B, Nikolavsky D. "Substitution urethroplasty for posterior urethral stenosis." Transl Androl Urol. 2025;14(12):3962–74. Technique and Figures 11–12. doi:10.21037/tau-2025-566