Robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy for proximal ureteral obstructions in children.
OBJECTIVE
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction is a common presentation in the pediatric population, but proximal ureteral obstructions are rare. In this setting, robot-assisted laparoscopy (RAL) offers a minimally invasive option to open or traditional laparoscopic repair. The present study demonstrates successful RAL in two children with proximal ureteral obstructions: one with a right retrocaval ureter and one with a left ureter entrapped between two lower-pole crossing vessels.


METHODS
After retrograde placement of a double-J ureteral stent, the child was secured in a lateral decubitus position exposing the affected side. A three-port RAL system was used to dissect free the obstructed ureter. A spatulated watertight ureteroureterostomy was then fashioned after transposition of the ureter into an anatomic position. Sutures and free instruments were passed into the peritoneal cavity via the 5-mm instrument ports, thus obviating the need for a separate assistant port.


RESULTS
RAL provided for crisp visualization, meticulous dissection, and precise approximation of the reconstructed ureter. In both patients, blood loss was negligible, narcotic use was minimal, and length of stay was roughly 30h. Follow-up imaging at 1 month showed excellent hydronephrosis resolution for both reconstructions.


CONCLUSIONS
These two cases demonstrate the feasibility of RAL for proximal ureteral anomalies in the pediatric population.
Department of Urologic Surgery, Pediatric Division, 420 Delaware Street S.E., MMC 394, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
K M
KM
Smith
D
D
Shrivastava
I R
IR
Ravish
R B
RB
Nerli
A R
AR
Shukla
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012371:Robotics; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D014519:Ureterostomy / Q000379:methods*