Surgical approaches for treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction - a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction A retrospective review of a high-volume Canadian center

INTRODUCTION

At present, there is no literature on the outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALPyelo) in a Canadian context. Our objective was to perform a retrospective review of RALPyelo cases at a high-volume Canadian center.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent RALPyelo at St. Michael's Hospital, between January 2012 and May 2019. Demographics, operative details, and pre- and postoperative imaging results (ultrasounds, computed tomography [CT] scans, and diuretic renal scan [DRS ]) were recorded. Patients were excluded if at least one-year followup data was unavailable. Our primary outcome was clinical and radiologic improvement defined as 1) symptom improvement; 2) stable/improved split renal function on DRS ; and 3) either improvement in the degree of hydronephrosis on ultrasound or CT, or improved drainage time on DRS. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, need for diagnostic intervention, and reintervention for recurrent UPJO.

RESULTS

A total of 156 patients underwent RALPyelo after exclusions. The median age was 42 and 66% were female. Mean followup was 2.5 years. For our primary outcome, 87% had clinical and radiologic improvement. Diagnostic investigation for possible recurrent/persistent obstruction, based on symptoms and/or imaging results, was required in 17% of cases, but only 3% required reintervention for recurrent UPJO. Accordingly, the overall treatment success was 97%. The most common postoperative complication was urinary tract infection (18%), and urine leak was seen in only 2% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study compare favorably with currently reported outcomes in the literature and demonstrate the safety and high level of success of RALPyelo at a high-volume Canadian center.

Effect of retropneumoperitoneum on cerebral and renal oxygen saturation during retroperitoneal robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (R-RALP) in a pediatric population: Preliminary results of a prospective observational study using a dedicated anesthetic protocol and Near-InfraRed Spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

Retroperitoneal robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (R-RALP) for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) has gained growing acceptance among pediatric urologists, and is increasingly performed as day-case surgery, involving smaller children and infants. However, retroperitoneal CO2 insufflation may cause hemodynamic derangements, respiratory changes, and hypercapnia, whose consequences are poorly investigated. We, therefore, decided to prospectively study its effect on regional tissue perfusion and oxygenation in a cohort of pediatric patients undergoing R-RALP, using a dedicated anesthetic protocol and cerebral and renal Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between January 2021 and September 2022, a cohort of 21 consecutive children [12 males (9 females), mean age of 7.1 ± 3.8 years and mean body weight of 25.7 ± 12.3 kg] underwent their first elective pyeloplasty for UPJO by R-RALP. The surgical procedure followed a previously described standardized technique and a dedicated anesthetic protocol. In conjunction with the minimal expected standard monitoring, cerebral and renal NIRS were added. Standard monitoring parameters and NIRS values were recorded at preset points throughout the procedures.

RESULTS

Standard monitoring and NIRS measurements during R-RALP were not adversely affected by CO2 insufflation, pending a significant increase in respiratory rate, aimed to avoid hypercapnia, while keeping the ventilation pressure within the safety range, preventing lung injury.

CONCLUSIONS

R-RALP, using a constant retroperitoneal CO2 insufflation pressure of 12 mmHg with a 5 L.min-1 flow, does not adversely affect respiratory and hemodynamics parameters, pending the implementation of a specifically designed anesthetic protocol aimed to prevent hypercapnia, the most threatening effect of retroperitoneal CO2 insufflation.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03274050.

Comparative efficacy and safety of different minimal invasive pyeloplasty in treating patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction: a network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

In recent years, the minimally invasive surgical treatment methods of ureteropelvic junctional obstruction (UPJO) have been diverse, but its approach and choice of surgical method are controversial. This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to compare the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive surgeries for UPJO, which included robotic or laparoscopic pyeloplasty, via the retroperitoneal or transperitoneal approach.

METHODS

We searched relevant RCTs in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and CNKI. To assess the results of operative time, complications and success rate, pairwise, and NMA were carried out. The models for analyses were performed by Revman 5.3, Addis V1.16.8 and R software.

RESULTS

A total of 6 RCTs were included in this study involving four types of surgeries: transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty (T-LP), retroperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty (R-LP), robot-assisted transperitoneal pyeloplasty (T-RALP), and robot-assisted retroperitoneal pyeloplasty (R-RALP). This study consisted of 381 patients overall. T-RALP had a quicker operational duration (SMD = 1.67, 95% CI 0.27-3.07, P = 0.02) than T-LP. According to the NMA's consistency model, T-RALP improved the surgical success rate more than T-LP (RR = 6303.19, CI 1.28 to 1.47 × 1011). Ranking probabilities indicated that RALP could be the better option than LP and retroperitoneal approach was comparable to transperitoneal approach. All procedures had high surgical success rates and few complications.

CONCLUSION

Outcomes for four surgical approaches used in the UPJO were comparable, with T-RALP being the most recommended approach. Selection between the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches primarily depended on the surgeon's preference. Higher quality evidence is needed to further enhance the result.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty is a valid option for ureteropelvic junction obstruction repair in adults with congenital renal abnormalities: a case series study

BACKGROUND

Congenital renal anomalies are rare but may be associated with obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction. Given the rarity of simultaneous ureteropelvic junction obstruction [UPJO] and renal anomalies in the adult population, there is limited literature on approaching these patients. We report our experience with robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty for UPJO repair in this subset of patients.

METHODS

Data on adult patients with simultaneous congenital renal abnormalities and UPJO who underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty between 2008 and 2020 was reviewed. Pre-operative data, intraoperative parameters as well as post-operative data including symptom resolution and radiologic findings were recorded.

RESULTS

Ten patients, 4 female and 6 males, with a mean age of 47 years were identified as having simultaneous congenital renal abnormalities and UPJO. Anomalies identified were horseshoe kidney in four patients, duplex kidney with obstruction of one moiety in two patients, malrotated kidney in two patients, and pelvic kidney in two patients. Eight out of ten were symptomatic at presentation with flank pain being the most common symptom. Eight patients underwent robotic pyeloplasty via the dismembered technique, while two underwent robotic Y-V pyeloplasty. With a mean follow up time of 13 months, 8/9 (88%) symptomatic patients enjoyed symptom resolution. Post-op renogram was available for nine patients and showed resolution of obstruction in all patients (100%). One patient developed a urine leak which was managed successfully with drainage.

CONCLUSIONS

Robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty is a safe, feasible and effective surgical approach in management of adult patients with concomitant UPJO and renal anomalies.

Progressive Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction and Renal Function Deterioration in Adult, Even in a Short Period of Time

Introduction

The ureteropelvic junction obstruction is more common in children; however, it can also affect adults. The management of this condition has shifted toward a nonoperative approach with serial ultrasonography and renography. Case Presentation. The ureteropelvic junction obstruction imaging with significant renal function deterioration in an adult patient is described in this report. Laparoscopic exploration revealed aberrant vessels that compress the ureteropelvic junction against the lower pole of the kidney.

Conclusion

It is important to consider that some of the ureteropelvic junction obstruction cases can get worse even in a short period of time.

Feasibility, safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic transperitoneal pyeloplasty in children: Ain Shams University early experience

Background/purpose

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) is now widely recognized as a minimally invasive alternative for the surgical repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in paediatrics. In this work, we aim to evaluate the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of LP in our early experience.

Patients and methods

Between April 2019 and April 2020, patients presented with indication for surgical repair of UPJO were offered laparoscopic transperitoneal Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty. Demographic data, preoperative investigations, operative data and intra- or postoperative complications, as well as short and mid-term follow-ups were recorded.

Results

During the specified period, 13 patients underwent LP (8 girls and 5 boys) with a median age of 12 months (range from 5 to 150 months). There was no conversion to open approach with operative time ranging from 120 to 240 min (mean = 175 ± 34 min). No intra- or postoperative complications were encountered. One to 2 years postoperative follow-up was performed (median = 18 months) in 11 patients. One patient discontinued follow-up after 1 month and another after 6 months. Follow-up PAUS showed a reduction in the anteroposterior diameter of the renal pelvis in all cases. Postoperative diuretic renal scans (DTPA renography) were done for three patients with a persistent anteroposterior diameter of the renal pelvis greater than 20 mm which showed improvement in the washout. All patients had a good cosmetic outcome.

Conclusion

In our early experience in LP, we found the procedure a safe, feasible and effective technique in managing UPJO in children and infants with good cosmetic outcome.

Level of evidence

This is a case series study (level IV evidence).

The Impact of Preoperative Double-J Stent on Perioperative Complications, Recurrence, and Quality of Life in Adult Patients Undergoing Pyeloplasty

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative double-J stent (DJ) in pyeloplasty patients on perioperative complications, recurrence, and quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

Pyeloplasties due to ureteropelvic junction obstructions between January 2010 and December 2020 were consecutively identified. A standardized follow-up questionnaire was used. Tabulation was made according to preoperative DJ versus no DJ. Subgroup analyses addressed primary robotic pyeloplasties.

RESULTS

Of 95 pyeloplasty patients, 62% received a preoperative DJ. Patients with preoperative DJ exhibited higher rates of Clavien-Dindo (CD) 2 (22 vs. 11%) complications, but not of CD3 (8.5 vs. 8.3%, p = 0.5). After a median follow-up of 61 months, 9 patients exhibited a recurrence, of whom 7 had a preoperative DJ. In QoL assessment, comparable findings were made between patients with and without preoperative DJ. In robotic pyeloplasty patients (n = 73), patients with preoperative DJ (58%, n = 42) experienced higher CD3 complication rates, compared to patients without preoperative DJ (12 vs. 6.5%). Moreover, higher rates of recurrences were observed in preoperative DJ patients (12 vs. 3.2%).

CONCLUSION

In a contemporary pyeloplasty cohort, the midterm success rate was good with 91%. Our findings suggest that preoperative DJ is associated with higher recurrence rates. However, QoL did not differ between patients with and without preoperative DJ.

Minimal Invasive Treatment in Pelvic-Ureteric Junction Obstruction: A Comprehensive Review

Pelvic-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) is a common condition, and one of the lead causes of hydronephrosis in children. Currently, the gold standard treatment of PUJO is open surgery using the Anderson–Hynes-modified dismembered pyeloplasty technique. However, with the advancement of medical technology, several minimal invasive approaches were developed, including endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic approach, from which the best choice of surgical technique was yet to be determined. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of these methods, the recommended option is to tailor the best surgical approach to each individual patient, and to the surgeons’ preference and experience. Considering these recent advances, a new algorithm is proposed to choose the best minimal invasive modalities invasive treatment to treat PUJO.

Comparison between mini-laparoscopy, conventional laparoscopy and open approach for ureteropelvic junction obstruction treatment in children

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to compare 3 mm mini-laparoscopy (mini LP), standard 5 mm laparoscopy (LP) and open surgery for pediatric pyeloplasty in a single center.

METHODS

Patients who underwent pyeloplasty from 1997 to 2017 at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu were prospectively collected. Demographic data, clinical, surgical and radiological variables were assessed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed in order to identify risks for surgical complications, urinary leak and need for redo-surgery.

RESULTS

340 pyeloplasties were performed in this period: 197 open, 30 LP and 113 mini LP. Independent risk factors for surgical complications in a multivariate logistic regression model were: LP (vs mini LP, OR = 3.95; 95% CI: 1.13-13.8), higher differential renal function (each point more increases the risk 6%; 95% CI: 1-11%), older children (every year increases the risk 1.11 times; 95% CI: 1.002-1.225). Open surgery, pelvis diameter or the use of different stents were not risk factors. This model had an 80% PPV and a 92% NPV. LP (OR = 4.65; 95% CI: 1.08-19.96) and longer surgical time (OR = 1.014; 95% CI: 1.003-1.025) were independent risk factors for urinary leak. Higher pelvis diameter (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87-0.99) and the use of external stents were independent protective risk factors for urinary leak (OR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01-0.72). We have not found independent risk factors for redo-surgery in a multivariate logistic regression model.

CONCLUSION

mini LP can be safely and effectively used to perform pyeloplasty in pediatric patients of all ages.

Crossing vessels with suspension versus transposition in laparoscopic pyeloplasty of patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction: a retrospective study

Purpose

To compare the effects of two different methods of laparoscopic pyeloplasty for the treatment of crossing vessels.

Methods

From January 2016 to August 2019, 33 patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty at our center, including 21 men and 12 women, ranging from 14 to 66 years of age. There were 20 and 13 cases on the left and right sides, respectively. Patients underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty (Anderson-Hynes operation). During the operation, either a Hem-o-lok clip suspension or transposition was used to treat the crossing vessels. The double-J stent was removed 8 weeks after the operation. The clinical data of patients were collected and follow-ups were regularly performed after the operation.

Results

All the crossing vessels were successfully preserved, and none of them were severed during the operation. The average operation time was 210.6 ± 58.9 min in this group and the average time to manage the crossing vessel was 8.0 ± 3.5 min, 5.9 ± 1.4 min in the suspension group, and 11.7 ± 3.0 min in the transposition group. The dilation of the affected side was 4.8 ± 1.5 cm before operation and 1.2 ± 1.3 cm 3 months after operation. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Follow-up to February 2020 showed no significant changes in the kidney size in all patients and hydronephrosis was relieved.

Conclusion

For UPJO patients with crossing vessel compression, the method of Hem-o-lok suspension or vascular transposition can be used to relieve crossing vascular compression and improve the success of pyeloplasty.

Role of laparoscopy in the era of robotic surgery in urology in developing countries

With the rapid expansion of robotic platforms in urology, there is an urgent and unmet need to review its cost and benefits in comparison to the traditional laparoscopy, especially in reference to a developing country. A nonsystematic review of the literature was conducted to compare the outcomes of pure laparoscopic and robot-assisted urologic procedures. Available literature over the past 30 years was reviewed. Robot-assisted surgery and laparoscopy were found to have similar outcomes in the areas of radical prostatectomy, partial and radical nephrectomy, radical cystectomy, retroperitoneal lymph node (LN) dissection, inguinal LN dissection, donor nephrectomy, and kidney transplantation. Robot-assisted surgery was found to be significantly costlier than pure laparoscopy. In the absence of a clear advantage of robot-assisted surgery over pure laparoscopy, lack of widespread availability and the currently prohibitive cost of robotic technology, laparoscopic urological surgery has a definite role in the developing world.

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.

Meta-analysis of retroperitoneal vs transperitoneal laparoscopic and robot-assisted pyeloplasty for the management of pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction

OBJECTIVE

To determine differences in perioperative outcomes between retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approaches for laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) to manage pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) through a meta-analysis of comparative studies.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in January 2020. Comparative studies were evaluated according to Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. Assessed outcomes included success and complication rates, conversion to open surgery, operative time (OT), length of hospital stay (LOS), estimated blood loss (EBL), analgesic requirements, regular diet resumption, and drain duration. Relative risk (RR) and standardised mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extrapolated. Subgroup analyses were performed according to study design and techniques. International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) number: CRD42020163303.

RESULTS

A total of 18 studies describing 2007 cases were included. Overall pooled effect estimates did not show statistically significant differences between the approaches with regards to success rate (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.97, 1.01), complications (RR 1.09; 95% CI 0.82, 1.45), OT (SMD 0.61; 95% CI -0.04, 1.26), LOS (SMD -0.30; 95% CI -0.63, 0.04), EBL (SMD -0.53; 95% CI -1.26, 0.21), or analgesic requirements (SMD -0.51; 95% CI -1.23, 0.21). Compared to the transperitoneal approach, retroperitoneal LP had a higher conversion rate (RR 2.40; 95% CI 1.23, 4.66); however, patients resumed diets earlier (SMD -2.49; 95% CI -4.17, -0.82) and had shorter drain duration (SMD -0.31; 95% CI -0.57, -0.05).

CONCLUSION

The evidence suggests that there are no significant differences in success rate, OT and complications between transperitoneal and retroperitoneal LP. Conversion rates are higher with the retroperitoneal approach; however, return to diet occurs faster and drain duration is shorter when compared to the transperitoneal approach.