Laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children with horseshoe kidney

Repositioning of Ureteropelvic Junction in Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty

OBJECTIVE

To describe the technique of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) repositioning in robot-assisted dismembered pyeloplasty as a modified approach during which the UPJ is brought to a new location to facilitate the anastomosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of pediatric and adult cases of robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty performed between the years 2016 and 2022. In a select group of patients, repositioning of the UPJ was performed. Demographic data, surgical and post-surgical outcomes were compared to a group that underwent classical Anderson-Hynes (AH) dismembered pyeloplasty.

RESULTS

Overall, 70 patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty and were included in the study, with 15 in the repositioning group and 55 in the AH group. The median age of patients included was 26 months (interquartile range (IQR) 7-203). Median operative time was 140 minutes (IQR 129-192) and 170 minutes (IQR 135-207) for the repositioning and AH group, respectively. The indications for UPJ repositioning were high UPJ insertion (n = 8), crossing vessel (n = 5), and renal malformations (n = 2). Clinical significance was shown in the Society of Fetal Urology classification and split renal function postoperatively, respectively (P <.001; P <.01). Postoperatively, both groups showed improvement in anterior posterior diameter (APD) and diuretic T1/2 (P = 0.48). There was 1 case of surgical failure requiring revisional surgery in the repositioning group (6.6%) and 3 in the AH group (5.5%) (P >.05). Overall, there were 3 cases of Clavien-Dindo Grade 3 complications, all in the AH group (2 cases of urine leak from anastomosis, 1 case of port side hernia).

CONCLUSION

Repositioning of the UPJ is optional in cases when the obstructed UPJ is in a suboptimal anatomical position.

Radiological and surgical correlation of pelviureteric junction obstruction in positional anomalies of the kidney in children

Pelviureteric junction obstruction, also known as ureteropelvic junction obstruction, is a congenital narrowing of the urinary excretory tract at the junction between the renal pelvis and the ureter and is a common cause of congenital pelvicalyceal dilatation. The outcome is variable, from spontaneous resolution to renal parenchymal function loss in cases of untreated high-grade obstruction. Abnormalities in renal ascent, rotation and vascularity can be associated with pelviureteric junction obstruction and easily overlooked radiologically. In this pictorial review, we explore the anatomical, radiological and surgical correlations of pelviureteric junction obstruction in the context of a normal kidney and a spectrum of renal abnormalities, including hyper-rotation (also known as renal malrotation), failed renal ascent, fusion anomalies and accessory crossing renal vessels. For each scenario, we provide technical tips on how to identify the altered anatomy at the first ultrasound assessment and correlation with scintigraphic, cross-sectional and postoperative imaging where appropriate. A detailed ultrasound protocol specifically to assess and characterise pelviureteric junction obstruction in paediatric patients is also offered.

A retrospective analysis of ureteropelvic junction obstructions in patients with horseshoe kidney

Background

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is often encountered in patients with a horseshoe kidney (HSK) and may require surgical intervention. This study retrospectively investigated obstruction causes in HSK patients with UPJOs to determine the most suitable surgical method.

Methods

Twenty HSK patients with UPJO who underwent pyeloplasty between July 2000 and June 2020 and were followed-up for more than six months in our institution were included in the study. The clinical characteristics, obstruction causes, and surgical outcomes were analyzed.

Results

The median age at the time of the operation was 4.1 years [interquartile range (IQR): 1.8–10.6]. Hydronephrosis (HN) was found prenatally in 5 patients (25.0%). Pyeloplasty was performed by open, laparoscopic, and robotic techniques in 6, 10, and 4 patients, respectively. Sixteen patients (80.0%) had high ureteral insertion. Twelve patients (60.0%) had crossing vessels, and eight had a high ureteral insertion and crossing vessels. The median follow-up duration was 4.0 years (IQR: 1.8–8.9); no patient required additional surgery. The median differential renal function was 38.0% (IQR: 16.9–43.0%) preoperatively and 38.0% (IQR: 13.3–48.2%) postoperatively.

Conclusions

UPJOs in HSKs were primarily caused by a high ureteral insertion and crossing vessels. Dismembered pyeloplasty was successfully performed in all surgical modalities such as the open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches. Attention must be given to patients with HSKs, even in those without HN, to avoid UPJO development.

Surgery of uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO)

Uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common cause of hydronephrosis in infants and children. Historically, this condition has been approached surgically through a retroperitoneal approach as described by Anderson and Hynes aiming for an open dismembered pyeloplasty. A true evolution of laparoscopy in pediatric urology took place within the last 30 years. Laparoscopy developed from a merely diagnostic tool for non-palpable testes to "interventional" laparoscopy for extirpative surgery. Finally the era of reconstructive pediatric laparoscopic urology started, when in 1995 Peters described the first laparoscopic pyeloplasty in a child. Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty now has become the preferred surgical treatment of UPJO. It offers excellent visualization of the anatomy, accurate anastomotic suturing, thus the precise reconstruction of the UPJ along with good functional outcome. This article aims to provide the current status, indication and operative technique of laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty for UPJO in infants and children.

Comparison of Safety, Efficacy and Outcomes of Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty vs Conventional Laparoscopy

Pyeloplasty is considered the gold standard for the management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in cases of flank pain, recurrent stone formation or infection, and deteriorating renal function. Over the last two decades, minimally invasive techniques such as robotic (RALP) and laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) have become increasingly popular and have been moderately replacing the open approach. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive up-to-date review on safety, efficacy and outcomes regarding robotic repair of UPJO compared to the conventional laparoscopic procedure. RALP represents a viable and innovative alternative to conventional LP with a comparable success and complication rate both in adult and in paediatric fields. The robotic approach seems to add further technical advantages when compared to conventional LP but sustains a higher costs. Currently, the choice to adopt one of the different minimally invasive approaches depends on the surgeon's preference or experience, and on institutional availability.

Redo Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Infants and Children: Feasible and Effective

Purpose: To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of redo laparoscopic pyeloplasty among patients with failed previous pyeloplasty, specifically examining rates of success and complications. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients, who underwent redo laparoscopic pyeloplasty from 2006 to 2017. This included patients who underwent primary pyeloplasty at our institution and those referred for failures. Analysis included demographics, operative time, complications, length of hospital stay, complications, and success. Success was defined as improvement of symptoms and hydronephrosis and/or improvement in drainage demonstrated by diuretic renogram, especially in those with persistent hydronephrosis. Descriptive statistics are presented. Results: We identified 22 patients who underwent redo laparoscopic pyeloplasty. All had Anderson-Hynes technique except two cases in which ureterocalicostomy was performed. Median (IQR) follow-up was 29 (2-120) months, median time between primary pyeloplasty and redo laparoscopic pyeloplasty was 12 (7-49) months. The median operative time was 200 (50-250) min, and median length of hospital stay was 3 (2-10) days. The procedure was feasible in all cases without conversion. During follow-up, all but two patients demonstrated an improvement in the symptoms and the degree of hydronephrosis. Ninety-one percent of patients experienced success and no major complications were noted. Conclusions: Redo laparoscopic pyeloplasty is feasible and effective with a high success rate and low complication rate.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) in children with horseshoe kidneys: results of a multicentric study

PURPOSE

This multicentric study aimed to report our experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) in children with horseshoe kidney (HSK).

METHODS

The records of 14 patients (11 boys and 3 girls with an average age of 9 years), who underwent RALP for repair of pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) in HSK in five international pediatric urology units over a 5-year period, were retrospectively reviewed. A dismembered pyeloplasty with no division of isthmus was performed in all the cases.

RESULTS

The average operative time including docking was 143.5 min (range 100-205). No conversions to laparoscopy or open surgery or intra-operative complications occurred. Patients were discharged on postoperative day 2 following catheter and drain removal. The JJ stent was removed at mean 33 days postoperatively. Overall success rate was 92.8%. As for postoperative complications, we recorded a urinary tract infection (UTI) and stent-related irritative symptoms, managed with medical therapy, in two patients (II Clavien) and an anastomotic stricture in one patient needing surgical revision with no further recurrence (IIIb Clavien). At follow-up, all the patients (one after redo-surgery) reported complete resolution of symptoms, improvement of hydronephrosis on ultrasound and no residual obstruction on diuretic renogram.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience suggested that RALP in HSK is safe, feasible and with good medium-term outcomes in expert hands. An accurate pre-operative planning associated with a standardized technique is key points to achieve good surgical and functional outcomes in these challenging cases. The da Vinci robot technology offers the advantages of MIS procedures and overcomes the technical challenges of laparoscopic approach.

Applications of Laparoscopic Transperitoneal Surgery of the Pediatric Urinary Tract

Application of laparoscopy in pediatric urology has evolved over more than 30 years coming from a merely diagnostic use for non-palpable testes to "interventional" laparoscopy to extirpative surgery and finally to the era of reconstructive pediatric laparoscopic urology, when in 1995 Peters described the first laparoscopic pyeloplasty in a child. Laparoscopic surgery in pediatric urology became implemented increasingly in the twenty-first century with now present-day applications including the complete variety of all kind of indications for surgery for pediatric urological pathology. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current indications, techniques, and outcomes of laparoscopic transperitoneal surgery of the upper as well as of the lower urinary tract for urological pathology in the pediatric patient population.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children: does upper urinary tract anomalies affect surgical outcomes?

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility and outcomes of laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children with complex ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and compare to children with iso-lated UPJO without associated urinary tract abnormalities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Medical records of 82 consecutive children submitted to transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty in a 12-year period were reviewed. Eleven cases were con-sidered complex, consisting of atypical anatomy including horseshoe kidneys in 6 patients, pelvic kidneys in 3 patients, and a duplex collecting system in 2 patients. Patients were di-vided into 2 groups: normal anatomy (group 1) and complex cases (group 2). Demographics, perioperative data, outcomes and complications were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Mean age was 8.9 years (0.5-17.9) for group 1 and 5.9 years (0.5-17.2) for group 2, p=0.08. The median operative time was 200 minutes (180-230) for group 1 and 203 minutes (120-300) for group 2, p=0.15. Major complications (Clavien ≥3) were 4 (5.6%) in group 1 and 1 (6.3%) in group 2, p=0.52. No deaths or early postoperative complications such as: urinoma or urinary leakage or bleeding, occurred. The success rate for radiologic improvement and flank pain improvement was comparable between the two groups. Re-garding hydronephrosis, significant improvement was present in 62 patients (93.4%) of group 1 and 10 cases (90.9%) of group 2, p=0.99. The median hospital stay was 4 days (IQR 3-4) for group 1 and 4.8 days (IQR 3-6) for group 2, p=0.27.

CONCLUSIONS

Transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty is feasible and effective for the management of UPJO associated with renal or urinary tract anomalies.

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in a Pediatric Patient with Horseshoe Kidney: Surgical Technique and Review of the Literature

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe the technical aspects of a robotic pyeloplasty in pediatric patients with uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in horseshoe kidney (HSK) through the report of our recent case, and to outline the state of the art of minimally invasive pyeloplasty (MIP) with a systematic review of the literature.

Methods

We describe all the steps of our surgery performed on an 11-year-old patient with left UPJO in HSK in detail. All the anatomic landmarks are clearly showed, with particular attention to trocar placement in a pediatric patient. A systematic review of the literature on the outcomes of MIP in HSK patients has been performed, including 16 articles.

Results

Our surgery was successful following a standardized approach. However, we recorded a rare complication, the herniation of a small portion of omentum through the 8 - mm defect used for the caudal robotic port. The evidence synthesis shows excellent postoperative outcomes for both laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasties in HSK patients. Probably, MIP should be preferred to the traditional open approach in these patients, when feasible.

Conclusions

Transperitoneal robotic pyeloplasty is an excellent minimally invasive choice for the treatment of UPJO in HSK pediatric patients. The pediatric setting should prompt attention to every detail to avoid unfortunate complications.

Management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in horseshoe kidneys by an assortment of laparoscopic options

INTRODUCTION

We report our experience with laparoscopic management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in horseshoe kidneys.

METHODS

Between February 2004 and March 2014, 15 patients with horseshoe kidneys and symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction underwent laparoscopic management at our national referral centre. Depending on the anatomy and presence of obtrusive vessels or isthmus, we performed either dismembered, Scardino or Foley YV pyeloplasty, or Hellstrom vessel transposition. Patients were initially evaluated by ultrasonography, then diuretic scintiscan at 4 to 6 months, and followed by yearly clinical and sonographic exams.

RESULTS

This study included 11 male and 4 female patients between the ages of 4 to 51 year (average 17.7). The left kidney was involved in 12 patients (80%). Operation time was 129 minutes (range: 90-186), and patients were discharged within 2.8 days (range: 1-6). Although 8 (53.3%) patients had crossing vessels, of which 6 required transposing, the Hellstrom technique was solely used in 3 cases, of which notably 1 case failed to resolve and required laparoscopic Hynes within the next year. Eight cases underwent dismembered pyeloplasty, 2 Foley YV, 1 Scardino flap and 1 required isthmectomy and vessel suspension. At the mean follow-up of 60 (range: 18-120) months, the overall success rate was 93.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this represents the largest report on laparoscopic pyeloplasty for horseshoe kidneys, providing the longest follow-up. Our findings confirm prior reports supporting laparoscopy and furthermore show that despite the prevalence of crossing vessels, transposition alone is seldom sufficient.

Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and the Urinary Tract (CAKUT)

This article reviews the majority of Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT) with emphasis in Pediatric Pathology describing and illustrating lesions as varied as ureteral duplications, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, horseshoe kidney, posterior urethral valve and prune belly syndrome, obstructive renal dysplasia, nonmotile ciliopathies and several syndromes associated with renal malformations (Meckel-Joubert, short rib, Bardet-Biedl, asplenia/polysplenia, hereditary renal adysplasia, Zellweger, trisomies, VACTER-L, Potter, caudal dysplasia, and sirenomelia), as well as ADPK, and ARPK. The purpose of this review is not only to describe the congenital renal anomalies, but also to analyze the more recent therapeutic interventions that may modify the natural history of some of these severe conditions.