title: Technical modifications for robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) is gaining acceptance as a standard of care for the repair of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, with results comparable to those of open repair. However, it remains a technically challenging procedure requiring intracorporeal suturing skills. Recent reports have demonstrated equally effective results with robot-assisted laparoscopy with shorter operative times. We present our modified technique for daVinci robot-assisted LP.
  
  
  METHODS
  From November 2002 to May 2004, 32 consecutive patients underwent LP with the daVinci robotic system for UPJ obstruction. Just prior to laparoscopy, 31 patients underwent retrograde pyelography and cystoscopic placement of a ureteral catheter just distal to the UPJ, which was prepared into the operative field. The remaining patient had an indwelling stent placed preoperatively. Three transperitoneal ports are placed for the robot. A fourth port is placed for retraction, suction, dissection, and suture passage by the bedside surgeon. This port was placed at McBurney's point in the first two patients and the subxiphoid area in the subsequent 30 patients. A ureteral stent was inserted retrograde intraoperatively with laparoscopic assistance after exchanging the ureteral catheter for a guidewire. A Jackson-Pratt drain was placed in all cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All procedures were completed laparoscopically. Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty was performed in 31 patients, while Fengerplasty was performed in 1 patient. The average operative time was 300 minutes (initial 12 procedures: 384 minutes; last 10 procedures: 197 minutes). The average blood loss was approximately 50 mL and the average hospital stay 1.1 days. A crossing vessel was present in 44% of the cases. Stone extraction was performed in 5 cases (23%) and kidney biopsy in 1 case. The only perioperative complications were one migrated stent, which was repositioned under sedation without sequelae and one urinary tract infection. Of the 18 patients with follow-up exceeding 6 months (average 10.3 months), 16 have improved drainage and function and are asymptomatic. One patient with flank pain has no evidence of obstruction. One with delayed, although improved, drainage is asymptomatic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The daVinci robot system can be used effectively for LP. Although initial operative times were long, there was a significant decrease after the first 12 cases. Having retrograde access to the ureter allows simple intraoperative stent placement. We found that the subxiphoid placement of the fourth port gave the bedside surgeon the optimal location for suction, dissection, and intracorporeal suture passage. This approach and technique have become standard in our treatment of UPJ obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Section of Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery, Department of Urology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, 1430 Tulane Avenue SL-42, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. fmendez@tulane.edu
authors.forename: Freddy
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mendez-Torres
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Raju
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012371:Robotics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014567:Urography