title: Minimally invasive surgical approaches to retrovesical structures.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Robotic Surgery, Research and Training Center, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Passerotti
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cendron
authors.forename: Patricio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gargollo
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.forename: Joseph G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Borer
authors.forename: Bartley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cilento
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bauers
authors.forename: Alan B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Retik
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Hiep T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: 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*