Robot-assisted laparoscopic lower pole partial nephrectomy in the pediatric patient.
BACKGROUND
In pediatric urology, partial nephrectomy is used primarily to remove a non-functioning renal moiety in a duplicated system. There are few data on infants undergoing this procedure. As such, we present a robot-assisted laparoscopic lower pole partial nephrectomy in an infant.


METHODS
Our patient was an 11-month-old (10.7 kg) male with a history of prenatal hydronephrosis, who was diagnosed postnatally with a duplicated right collecting system and severe hydroureteronephrosis of the right lower collecting system. A DMSA scan demonstrated no radiotracer uptake in the right lower pole. A robot-assisted laparoscopic lower pole partial nephrectomy was performed.


RESULTS
A lower pole partial nephrectomy was accomplished. At 1 month postoperatively, an ultrasound demonstrated no hydronephrosis or perinephric fluid collection.


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic partial nephrectomy is safe and feasible in pediatrics including both older children and infants. It is successful for both upper and lower pole partial nephrectomies.
Department of Urology, Boston Children's Boston, Boston, USA.
Ashley C
AC
Wiestma
Department of Urology, Boston Children's Boston, Boston, USA. Electronic address: patricia.cho@childrens.harvard.edu.
Patricia S
PS
Cho
Department of Urology, Boston Children's Boston, Boston, USA.
Michael V
MV
Hollis
Department of Urology, Boston Children's Boston, Boston, USA.
Joseph
J
Badway
Department of Urology, Boston Children's Boston, Boston, USA.
Richard N
RN
Yu
D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007685:Kidney Tubules, Collecting / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures
Hydronephrosis; Partial nephrectomy; Robotic surgery; Vesicoureteral reflux