Laparoscopic assisted dismembered pyeloplasty in children: intermediate results

To study the results of an innovative minimally invasive technique of performing dismembered pyeloplasty in children. Using 5 mm camera and 3 mm working ports, the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) is mobilized by a transperitoneal laparoscopic technique. The UPJ is brought out through a tiny flank incision and a standard dismembered pyeloplasty is performed over a double J stent. Between October 2003 and January 2005, 13 children underwent laparoscopic assisted dismembered pyeloplasty. Indications, operative duration, hospital stay, preoperative and postoperative isotope renogram parameters were analyzed. The children were in the age range of 3 months to 6 years—three were right sided and ten were left sided. Only three were symptomatic while the remaining ten were detected to have UPJ obstruction during evaluation for antenatally detected hydronephrosis. Mean operative duration was 104.2 min (range 80–150 min) with no significant difference in the two patients with crossing vessels. Incision was smaller than 2 cms in all and the average postoperative hospital stay was 3.2 days (range 2–5 days). Follow-up ranging from 28 to 44 months showed reduction in hydronephrosis and improvement in renal function of all the operated units. Isotope renogram in only one patient showed equivocal slopes and prolonged half clearance times though no further surgical intervention was required. This technique has results comparable to that of open pyeloplasty and hence, maybe considered a good option for surgeons making the transition to laparoscopic pyeloplasty.