title: Laparoendoscopic single site surgery in pediatric urology: does it require specialized tools?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe our experience utilizing Laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) surgery in pediatric urology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review was performed on LESS urologic procedures from November 2009 through March 2013. A total of 44 patients underwent 54 procedures including: nephrectomy (23), orchiopexy (14), varicocelectomy (9), orchiectomy (2), urachal cyst excision (3), and antegrade continence enema (3) (ACE).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median patient age was 6.9 years old. Estimated blood loss (EBL), ranged from less than 5cc to 47cc for a bilateral nephrectomy. Operative time varied from 56 mins for varicocelectomy to a median of 360 minutes for a bilateral nephroureterectomy. Incision length ranged between 2 and 2.5cm. In our initial experience we used a commercial port. However, as we progressed, we were able to perform the majority of our procedures via adjacent fascial punctures for instrumentation at the single incision site. One patient did require conversion to an open procedure as a result of bleeding. Three complications were noted (6.8%), with two Clavien Grade 3b complications. Two patients required additional procedures at 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of LESS applies to many pediatric urologic procedures, ideally for ablative procedures or simple reconstructive efforts. The use of adjacent fascial puncture sites for instrumentation can obviate the need for a commercial port or multiple trocars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of California San Diego Health System, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Nishant
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santomauro
authors.affiliation: UCSD Department of Urology, Rady Children's Specialists Pediatric Urology, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marietti
authors.affiliation: UCSD Department of Urology, Rady Children's Specialists Pediatric Urology, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chiang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*