Laparoscopic extravesical detrusorraphy, a minimally invasive treatment option for vesicoureteral reflux: a single centre experience

Robot-Assisted versus Trans-Umbilical Multiport Laparoscopic Ureteral Reimplantation for Pediatric Benign Distal Ureteral Stricture: Mid-Term Results at a Single Center

Objective: Robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (RALUR) and trans-umbilical multiport laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (TMLUR) are both minimally invasive procedures for benign distal ureteral stricture (DUS). However, TMLUR has rarely been reported in published research, thus the difference in mid-term outcome of these two procedures warrants investigation. Methods: Patients who underwent RALUR or TMLUR for pediatric DUS from April 2017 to November 2020 at our institution were retrospectively analyzed and 56 patients were included in this retrospective comparison. Demographic characteristics, perioperative data and follow-up results were collected and analyzed in RALUR and TALUR groups. Results: RALUR and TMLUR were successfully performed in children aged from 12.0 to 142.0 months, without conversion to open ureteral reimplantation. RALUR took shorter operative time than TMLUR (p = 0.005) with less blood loss (p = 0.001). Meanwhile, patients receiving RALUR encountered a greater financial burden (p < 0.001) with less cosmetic satisfaction than TMLUR. The mean mid-term follow-up time for RALUR and TMLUR was 18.29 months and 24.64 months, respectively. Mid-term follow-up data showed that DUS was relieved with improved renal function after surgery in both groups, with no significant difference. Conclusions: RALUR and TMLUR are both safe and efficient for DUS treatment and achieve comparable mid-term outcomes in children. RALUR can reduce operative time and operative blood loss benefiting from its prominent technical superiority, but may currently bring about greater financial burden, with cosmetic satisfaction remaining to be improved.

Posterior urethral valves: Role of prenatal diagnosis and long-term management of bladder function; a single center point of view and review of literature

Posterior Urethral Valves (PUV) are the most common cause of lower urinary tract obstruction. More severe forms are detected early in pregnancy (mainly type I), while other forms are usually discovered later in childhood when investigating lower urinary tract symptoms. Bladder dysfunction is common and is associated with urinary incontinence in about 55% (0%-72%). Despite the removal of the obstruction by urethral valve ablation, pathological changes of the urinary tract can occur with progressive bladder dysfunction, which can cause deterioration of the upper urinary tract as well. For this reason, all children with PUV require long-term follow-up, always until puberty, and in many cases life-long. Therefore, management of PUV is not only limited to obstruction relief, but prevention and treatment of bladder dysfunction, based on urodynamic observations, is paramount. During time, urodynamic patterns may change from detrusor overactivity to decreased compliance/small capacity bladder, to myogenic failure (valve bladder). In the past, an aggressive surgical approach was performed in all patients, and valve resection was considered an emergency procedure. With the development of fetal surgery, vesico-amniotic shunting has been performed as well. Due to improvements of prenatal ultrasound, the presence of PUV is usually already suspected during pregnancy, and subsequent treatment should be performed in high-volume centers, with a multidisciplinary, more conservative approach. This is considered to be more effective and safer. Primary valve ablation is performed after clinical stability and is no longer considered an emergency procedure after birth. During childhood, a multidisciplinary approach (pediatric urologist, nephrologist, urotherapist) is recommended as well in all patients, to improve toilet training, using an advanced urotherapy program with medical treatments and urodynamic evaluations. The aim of this paper is to present our single center experience over 30 years.

A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing outcomes of laparoscopic extravesical versus trans vesicoscopic ureteric reimplantation

OBJECTIVE

When considering treatment for vesico ureteric reflux via inimally invasive surgery there is a dilemma to choose between laparoscopic extravesical (LEVUR) and transvesicoscopic (TVUR) ureteric reimplantation. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we have analyzed the articles on LEVUR and TVUR and compared the outcomes.

METHODS

We searched the databases to identify all papers pertaining to TVUR and LEVUR in the pediatric population. Duplicate publications, review articles, incomplete articles and robotic assistance were excluded. Systematic review was performed to identify patient data, reflux grades, laterality, duration of surgery, time to discharge, success rate and complications. Meta-analysis of heterogeneity was reported with I 2 statistics. Once heterogeneity was found low, the pooled outcomes were compared with students t test and Fishers exact test, wherever appropriate.

RESULTS

After screening a total of 45 articles, 23 articles were included (13 articles on TVUR and 10 articles on LEVUR). The I 2 statistics for TVUR and LEVUR showed low heterogeneity with I 2 of 0% (95% C.I 0-37%) and 25% (95% C.I 0-64%) respectively. With low heterogeneity both were suitable to be considered to have been conducted under similar conditions with possibility of using fixed effect model. The percentage of Grade 5 VUR was significantly higher (p = 0.001; X 2) in TVUR (11.9%) compared to LEVUR (2.2%). The proportion of bilateral reimplantation was significantly higher (p = 0.001; X 2) in TVUR compared to LEVUR (summary table). The success rate of LEVUR was significantly higher at 96.7% compared to TVUR at 93.7% (p = 0.007 X 2). Unilateral/Bilateral TVUR took significantly longer duration of surgery (155/194 min vs 107/161 min) compared to LEVUR (p = 0.001; Fishers). The mean (s.d) time to discharge was longer at 3.2 (1.6) days for TVUR compared to 1.6 (0.4) days for LEVUR (p = 0.001; Fishers). The complication rate was comparable, 7.35% for TVUR and 5.35% for LEVUR (p = 0.167; X 2).

DISCUSSION

In this meta-analysis we found that LEVUR had shorter operating time, higher success, and shorter hospital stay compared to TVUR. A probable explanation could be higher number unilateral VURs and lower number of grade 5 VUR cases in LEVUR group. Both the techniques had comparable overall complication rate: LEVUR had more post-operative urinary retention while TVUR had more port-related problems.

Laparoscopic extravesical ureteral reimplantation for correction of primary and secondary megaureters: Preliminary report of a new simplified technique

PURPOSE

To describe a simplified surgical technique for the treatment of primary and secondary obstructed megaureters in children by laparoscopic extravesical ureteral reimplantation (LEUR) and evaluate the short-term outcomes.

METHODS

Prospective study of children with primary and secondary megaureters treated at our institution between 2016 and 2018 by LEUR. A transperitoneal approach was used in all cases. The distal ureter was transected at the level of the stenosis. Detrusor muscle fibers were divided to expose bladder mucosa. The distal ureter was introduced into the bladder to create a valve-like mechanism. The ureter was fixed to the bladder mucosa by four stitches. We analyzed indications for surgery, complications and outcomes. Definition of success was relieved of obstruction and absence of VUR.

RESULTS

Six patients with a mean age of 28.83 months (SD: 21.4) underwent LEUR. Indications for surgery were: infection [2], obstruction [2], decrease in renal differential function [1] and increase in hydronephrosis [1]. There were no intraoperative complications. Resolution of hydronephrosis, obstruction and VUR was achieved in all cases. Mean follow-up was 13 months (SD: 6.67).

CONCLUSION

LEUR for the correction of primary and secondary megaureters by this new technique is safe. The most important advantage is that this technique is simpler and more easily reproducible than conventional LEUR. However, long-term follow-up is required.

TYPE OF STUDY

Prospective, observational.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Vesicoscopic cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation: High success rate for elimination of primary reflux

INTRODUCTION

Open ureteral reimplantation (UR) is the gold standard for the surgical management of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). There have been increasing reports on robot-assisted UR, but this approach remains controversial due to reports suggesting increased complications and reduced success compared with open repair. This study presented extensive experience with vesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation (VR) for primary reflux. In this procedure, cross-trigonal reimplantation was performed in a manner analogous to open repair under carbon dioxide 'pneumovesicum'.

OBJECTIVE

To review outcomes of vesicoscopic cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation and compare them with other minimally invasive approaches for the correction of reflux.

STUDY DESIGN

All patients who underwent VR at the current institution were retrospectively reviewed. The following were recorded for each patient: age, sex, grade of reflux, operative time, outcome, and complications.

RESULTS

The series consisted of 182 consecutive patients who underwent VR. There were 165 girls and 17 boys. Mean age was 7.03 years (range 16 months-38.2 years). Fifteen had failed prior injection therapy. Of the 182 patients, 135 underwent bilateral repairs and 47 unilateral. Mean operative time for bilateral repairs was 197 (112-284) minutes and 169 (99-288) for unilateral. Major complications included two ureteral obstructions: one resolved with stent placement and the other underwent re-operative reimplantation. Postoperative voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) was obtained in 100 patients and was normal in 93 (93%). Four of these failures occurred in the first 30 patients. Of the last 49 patients tested, 48 were normal, suggesting a 98% effective success rate after the learning curve.

DISCUSSION

Vesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation is an approach that completely recreates all aspects of open cross-trigonal repair. Complications were uncommon and success rates were very high in the current study.

CONCLUSIONS

Vesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation is a minimally invasive procedure for the definitive repair of primary reflux. After the learning curve at the current institution, success rates were found to be equivalent to open repair and were higher than published reports of robot-assisted procedures.