title: Retroperitoneal-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children: initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate a novel application of laparoscopy to assist in the correction of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retroperitoneal space is created, and the UPJ is identified and dissected from the surrounding tissue with a 1 x 10-mm 0 degrees telescope and 2 x 5-mm endoscopic instruments. Using a 5-0 Prolene stay suture, the UPJ is brought up through the 10-mm trocar site to the skin level, and the pyeloplasty is performed ex vivo over a double-J stent with loop magnification. Between July 2002 and March 2003, nine male and two female patients with UPJ obstruction underwent a pyeloplasty using this retroperitoneal-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP). The operative time, hospital stay, pain management, and follow-up radiologic studies were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In nine patients, RALP (bilateral in one patient) was performed (nine on the left side and one on the right). In the remaining two patients, mobilization of the UPJ was inadequate, and open conversion was performed. The average RALP operative time was 160 minutes (range 121-193 minutes). Postoperative pain management was optimal using oral codeine in eight patients, while one patient (RALP and pyelolithotomy) received parenteral analgesic postoperatively. The average length of stay in the hospital was 2 days (range 1-3 days). Follow-up (5-14 months) radiologic studies after stent removal showed improvement in the hydronephrosis in all except one patient. Furosemide renal scan at 3 to 6 months postoperatively was done in all patients and showed no obstruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We consider RALP as the technique of choice for surgeons who want to increase their reconstructive laparoscopic skills. It provides an additional technique when skilled laparoscopists are faced with technically difficult pyeloplasties.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada. walid.farhat@sickkids.ca
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Farhat
authors.forename: Kourosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Afshar
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Papanikolaou
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khoury
authors.forename: Darius
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bagli
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods