title: Comparison of robot-assisted versus conventional laparoscopic transperitoneal pyeloplasty for patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction: a single-center study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare conventional laparoscopic pyeloplasty (C-LPP) and robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RA-LPP), which are both used for correction of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Robotic assistance may further expedite dissection and reconstruction; however it is unclear whether this has an impact on results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1999 and 2009, 172 conventional or robotic-assisted transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasties were performed by 2 surgeons. Data were obtained from our prospective database, patient charts, and radiographic reports. Statistical analysis was performed for the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 98 patients underwent R-LPP, and 74 underwent C-LPP. Mean age, body mass index, and gender distribution were similar for the groups. Of the patients, 22 (12.8%) had secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Operative time in minutes was 189.3 ± 62 for RA-LPP, and 186.6 ± 69 for C-LPP (P = .69) respectively. Intraoperative and postoperative complication rates for RA-LPP and C-LPP were 1%, 5.1% and 0, 2.7% (P = .83 and .85) respectively. There was no significant difference in mean suturing time: 48.3 ± 30 and 60 ± 46 (P = .30) for RA-LPP and C-LPP, respectively. Long-term follow up (minimum 6 months; available for 136 patients) showed 93.4% and 95% radiographic success rate based upon diuretic scintirenography for RA-LPP and C-LPP respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Operative time, perioperative outcome and success rates are similar for C-LPP and RA-LPP. Mean suturing time for RA-LPP was shorter; however, there was no significant time difference in total operative time. Complications for both procedures are infrequent. Success rates, as measured by diuretic scintirenography, are high for the 2 procedures.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Urology, 1400 NW 10th Avenue, Dominion Tower, Suite 509, Miami, FL 33136, USA. vincent.bird@urology.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Vincent G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Bird
authors.forename: Raymond J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Leveillee
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eldefrawy
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bracho
authors.forename: Mohammed S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Aziz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*