Introduction: The aim of this paper is to report the outcomes of 30 (first) robot-assisted pyeloplasties (RPs) performed at our institute for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).
Methods: In the period between March 2005 and September 2012, 30 RPs due to UPJO have been performed at our institute using a three arms Da Vinci Robot, standard version. All the procedures were performed transperitoneally with Anderson-Hynes technique. 29/30 (97%) patients were affected by primary UPJO and 1/30 (3%) reported a recurrent disease. The access foresaw the positioning of three robotic trocars (one 12 mm trocar for the camera and two 8-mm trocars for the robotic arms) and one assistant 12 mm trocar. The anastomosis was confectioned on a double-J ureteral tutor with 4/0 monocryl running sutures. Outcome success was defined as resolution of preoperative symptoms and ureteropelvic junction obstruction, confirmed by the improvement of the diuretic renogram. Mean follow-up was 48.3 months (range 5-96).
Results: All procedures have been completed robotically and no conversion was needed. Mean operative times, blood losses and hospital stay were respectively 189 minutes (range 105-420), 60 mL (range 25-100) and 4.2 days (range 2-14). 29/30 patients were cured, with a success rate of 97%. As regards mild complications, 3/30 patients (10%) reported a moderate abdominal pain a few hours after surgery, which was successfully treated with common analgesic drugs. As for major complications, one patient (3%) developed ileus, probably due to a mild urine extravasation through the ureteropelvic suture, which spontaneously disappeared three days after surgery.
Conclusion: RP seems to be a "new gold standard" in the treatment of UPJO. The three-dimensional versatility and the outstanding accuracy of robot-assisted intracorporeal suturing produced excellent results after the first procedures without requiring a previous 'sound' laparoscopic experience.
Written by:
Gallo F, Schenone M, Cortese P, Giberti C. Are you the author?
Struttura Complessa di Urologia, Ospedale San Paolo, Savona - Italy.
Reference: Urologia. 2014 Mar 6;81(Suppl. 23):24-26.
doi: 10.5301/RU.2014.11982
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24665029
Article in Italian.
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