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Ski Needle / J-Hook Needle

The ski needle (also called the J-hook needle) is a deeply curved suture needle used for placing sutures in narrow, deep pelvic spaces where a standard half-circle needle cannot rotate freely. The exaggerated curve allows the needle tip to enter and exit tissue along a tighter arc, which is particularly useful for deep posterior anastomoses such as the vesicourethral anastomosis at the bladder neck during posterior urethroplasty, dorsal-onlay BMG repair under the pubic bone, and reconstruction of the deep posterior outlet.

Where it is useful​

  • Dorsal onlay BMG urethroplasty for BNC / VUAS — placing the proximal graft sutures at the bladder neck through a perineal exposure under the pubic bone. See the Dorsal Onlay BMG atlas page.
  • Posterior urethroplasty for pelvic-fracture distraction defects when the proximal urethral stump sits deep behind the pubic bone.
  • Open or robotic vesicourethral anastomosis when the working depth and angle make a standard curve cumbersome.

Video Demonstration​

Use of the ski / J-hook needle is demonstrated in the operative video below — the relevant segment begins at 3:07.

Ski / J-Hook Needle for Deep Posterior Anastomotic Suturing
Operative demonstration — relevant segment begins at 3:07