A transperitoneal laparoscopic approach to endourology

Laparoscopy-assisted cutaneous ureterostomy at suprapubic creaseline facilitates subsequent reimplantation

BACKGROUND:

Cutaneous ureterostomy is still practiced despite a trend towards primary surgical correction for obstructive or refluxive uropathy. For future open reimplantation, ureterostomy can be created by minimal invasive technique at the end(s) of the suprapubic creaseline.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

From 1 January 2009 to 31 July 2012, seven children were treated with laparoscopy-assisted cutaneous ureterostomy followed by ureteric reimplantation. Indications were primary obstructive megaureter 3, hugely dilated ureters with reflux 3 and posterior urethral valve with poor general health 1. The distal manoeuverable part of tortuous ureter was pulled to the surface at either end of suprapubic creaseline to create the stoma. During reimplantation, this stoma was dismembered and brought inside urinary bladder obviating the need for stoma-site repair.

RESULTS:

Mean age was 4.6 ± 2.8 years with six males. There were three bilateral cases with total 10 lesions. Mean operating time was 39.8 ± 12.5 minutes. Mean follow-up was 1.7 ± 0.8 years and except for peri-stomal excoriations no major complication occurred. All these were reimplanted 6-12 months after ureterostomy and faring well except in one case.

CONCLUSIONS:

Laparoscopy-assisted cutaneous ureterostomy can be fashioned at suprapubic creaseline to facilitate future reimplantation without much jeopardy and extra scar.

Experience with laparoscopy-assisted retroperitoneal pyeloplasty in children

PURPOSE

To describe a laparoscopy-assisted retroperitoneal pyeloplasty (LARP) and results of initial experience.

METHODS

Port placement used by Farhat in retroperitoneal-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty was modified for better cosmetic results. Surgery was done using 2-cm incision for 5-mm camera port and two 3-mm working ports. Dissection was done anterior to the kidney. The ureteropelvic junction was brought out through the 2-cm trocar site and the pyeloplasty was performed extracorporeally. Between January 2004 and February 2008, a total of 39 kidneys in 38 children with mean age of 4.1 months underwent LARP. The operative time, hospital stay, functional outcome and follow-up renogram studies were reviewed.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 147 min. 2-cm incision was extended in one patient with malrotated kidney. There was improvement in function in 37 (95%) with no failure. The mean split renal function, preoperative and at follow-up were 35.7 and 44.2%, respectively (P = 0.000). The mean glomerular filtration rate (ml/min), preoperative and at follow-up were 27.4 and 39.1%, respectively (P = 0.000). Mean follow-up period was 24 months.

CONCLUSION

LARP is safe in treating UPJ obstruction in infants. It is recommended especially in small babies where laparoscopic pyeloplasty is difficult.

Retroperitoneal-Assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Children: Initial Experience

PURPOSE

To demonstrate a novel application of laparoscopy to assist in the correction of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retroperitoneal space is created, and the UPJ is identified and dissected from the surrounding tissue with a 1 x 10-mm 0 degrees telescope and 2 x 5-mm endoscopic instruments. Using a 5-0 Prolene stay suture, the UPJ is brought up through the 10-mm trocar site to the skin level, and the pyeloplasty is performed ex vivo over a double-J stent with loop magnification. Between July 2002 and March 2003, nine male and two female patients with UPJ obstruction underwent a pyeloplasty using this retroperitoneal-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP). The operative time, hospital stay, pain management, and follow-up radiologic studies were reviewed.

RESULTS

In nine patients, RALP (bilateral in one patient) was performed (nine on the left side and one on the right). In the remaining two patients, mobilization of the UPJ was inadequate, and open conversion was performed. The average RALP operative time was 160 minutes (range 121-193 minutes). Postoperative pain management was optimal using oral codeine in eight patients, while one patient (RALP and pyelolithotomy) received parenteral analgesic postoperatively. The average length of stay in the hospital was 2 days (range 1-3 days). Follow-up (5-14 months) radiologic studies after stent removal showed improvement in the hydronephrosis in all except one patient. Furosemide renal scan at 3 to 6 months postoperatively was done in all patients and showed no obstruction.

CONCLUSION

We consider RALP as the technique of choice for surgeons who want to increase their reconstructive laparoscopic skills. It provides an additional technique when skilled laparoscopists are faced with technically difficult pyeloplasties.