Early experience of robotic-assisted reconstructive operations in pediatric urology.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic pyeloplasty and ureteric reimplantation are complex urologic operations requiring delicate surgical skill. The use of a robot may provide benefits in performing these reconstructive operations. In this article, we report our early experience in the use of the robot in pediatric urologic operations.


METHODS
Children who underwent robotic-assisted reconstructive urologic operations were reviewed and analyzed.


RESULTS
From November 2005 to April 2008, 8 children underwent robotic-assisted reconstructive urologic operations. Three children had extravesical ureteral reimplantation performed for vesicoureteric reflux (VUR), and 5 children had pyeloplasty performed for pelvic-ureteric junction obstruction. There was no conversion to open procedure and no intraoperative complication. The operative time ranged from 105 to 420 minutes (mean, 219). Postoperatively, 1 patient had urinary retention and 1 patient had postoperative fever. Hospital stay ranged from 3 to 10 days (mean, 4.8). Mean follow-up time was 38 months (range, 17-46). VURs were resolved for the 2 children with simple VUR and was downgraded for the child with duplex kidney. All patients who underwent pyeloplasty showed satisfactory urinary drainage after the operation.


CONCLUSIONS
From this early experience, robotic-assisted urologic operations in children were safe and feasible. It was particularly useful in reconstructive operations that required precise suturing, such as ureteric reimplantation and pyeloplasty.
Chan
Kin Wai E
KW
Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, Department of Surgery, The Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. edwinchan@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk
Lee
Kim Hung
KH
Tam
Yuk Him
YH
Sihoe
Jennifer Dart Yin
JD
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*