title: Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for dysplastic kidney in children: an initial experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for dysplastic kidney is now becoming a widely accepted procedure. We report here our initial experience with laparoscopic nephroureterectomy in four girls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1993 and 1999, laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was performed in four girls (mean age 5.3 years). Three patients had an ectopic dysplastic kidney with ectopic ureter, and one patient had hydronephrosis with megaureter due to distal ureteral atresia of the upper moiety in a duplicated dysplastic kidney. The transperitoneal approach was used in all cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean operative time was 195 min (range 150-266). Blood loss was minimal. All operations were completed successfully and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications except for subcutaneous emphysema in one patient (case 4). Postoperative analgesia was used in three patients and administered in the form of diclofenac sodium suppositories 12.5 mg (cases 1 and 2) or acetaminophen suppositories 50 mg (case 3) for 1-2 days. One patient did not require any analgesia (case 4). Oral fluid intake was resumed on the first postoperative day and ambulation began within 1-3 days (mean 1.6, cases 1, 2 and 3) and 6 days (case 4). All children returned to normal activity within 3-6 days of surgery. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.3 days. All cases had uneventful courses after discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy can be performed safely, with minimal postoperative pain, excellent cosmetic results and early ambulation. We advocate the use of laparoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of dysplastic kidney with ectopic ureter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan. kurokawa@clin.med.tokushima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kurokawa
authors.forename: Hiro-Omi
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Kanayama
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anwar
authors.forename: Tomoharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukumori
authors.forename: Yasuyo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kagawa
authors.forename: Yosihide
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Toshiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Terachi
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D021782:Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009392:Nephrectomy; D011859:Radiography; D014513:Ureter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*