Minimally invasive surgical approaches to retrovesical structures.
BACKGROUND
With open surgery, it is difficult to access structures posterior to the bladder. The advent of laparoscopy provides a more direct approach to these structures. In this study, we report on our experience in treating these structures using minimally invasive techniques.


METHODS
Between 1998 and 2006, 11 patients underwent conventional or robotic-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) surgeries to treat various anomalies posterior to the bladder; 5/11 procedures were performed with conventional laparoscopy and the others utilized robotic-assistance.


RESULTS
There were no complications. Average EBL was 49.1 ml. Mean operative time was 233.3 min. Median total i.v. analgesic use was 0.9 mg/kg MSO(4). Median hospital stay was 2.0 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms the safety and feasibility of conventional and RAL surgery posterior to the urinary bladder. This minimally invasive procedure allows the retrovesical structures to be approach more directly, allows for excellent visualization of these structures and avoids the morbidity associated with open surgery.
Passerotti
Carlo
C
Department of Urology, Robotic Surgery, Research and Training Center, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Cendron
Marc
M
Gargollo
Patricio
P
Diamond
David A
DA
Borer
Joseph G
JG
Cilento
Bartley
B
Bauers
Stuart
S
Retik
Alan B
AB
Peters
Craig A
CA
Nguyen
Hiep T
HT
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000601:surgery*