Laparoscopic pyeloplasty in the pediatric patient: hand sewn anastomosis versus robotic assisted anastomosis--is there a difference?
OBJECTIVE
The most difficult portion of laparoscopic pyeloplasty is the intracorporeal suturing involved in the anastomosis. We identified whether there is a difference in outcomes between a laparoscopic hand sewn anastomosis and a robotic assisted anastomosis.


METHODS
We studied 29 patients who underwent pyeloplasty in the last 30 months, including a robotic assisted procedure in 15, a laparoscopic procedure in 12 and an aborted procedure in 2.


RESULTS
Followup was 10 to 122 weeks (average 41). All surgeries except 1 were deemed successful by resolution of hydronephrosis on ultrasound and symptomatic criteria. Intraoperative time for robotic assisted pyeloplasty was 150 to 290 minutes (average +/- SD 223.1 +/- 46.5). Laparoscopic time was 200 to 285 minutes (average 236.5 +/- 24.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic assisted and laparoscopic anastomosis produced similar outcomes in pediatric patients who underwent pyeloplasty. Overall operative times did not vary significantly between the 2 procedures. There appeared to be no quantifiable benefits between the 2 procedures.
Franco
Israel
I
Pediatric Urology Associates, Hawthorne, New York 10532, USA. Isfranco@optonline.net
Dyer
Lori Landau
LL
Zelkovic
Paul
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014567:Urography