From Endopyelotomy to Robotic Pyeloplasty: What a Safari!

Surgical management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) has historically been performed with open pyeloplasty. With the advent of endourology, laparoscopy, and robotics, minimally invasive techniques have been described and accepted as alternatives to open surgery. Each of these approaches has its own advantages and disadvantages, equipment needs, degree of invasiveness, and experience of the treating urologist. Advocates and critics have their own say as to their preferred technique. In this article, we review the chronological evolution of these techniques and discuss their current role in the management of UPJO.

Journal of endourology / Endourological Society. 2016 Aug 22 [Epub ahead of print]

Weil Ron Lai, Carrie Aline Stewart, Raju Thomas

Tulane University School of Medicine, Urology, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States ; ., Tulane University School of Medicine, Urology, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States ; ., Tulane University School of Medicine, 12255, Urology, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States ; .