Laparoscopic and robotic transperitoneal repair of retrocaval ureter: A comparison of the surgical outcomes from two centres with a comprehensive literature review

A case of retrocaval ureter with robot-assisted ureteral reconstruction

Introduction

Retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital anomaly that causes ureteral obstruction. Because of the rarity of retrocaval ureter, only a few cases of open, laparoscopic, or robot-assisted surgery have been reported. We herein report a case of retrocaval ureter that was successfully reconstructed with robot-assisted surgery.

Case presentation

A 24-year-old woman was incidentally diagnosed with right hydronephrosis on ultrasonography. Computed tomography revealed retrocaval ureter, and the right hydronephrosis was attributed to the retrocaval ureter. The patient underwent robot-assisted right ureteral reconstruction in the left lateral decubitus position. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred, and no right hydronephrosis was observed 6 months after the operation.

Conclusion

The present case demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of robot-assisted ureteral reconstruction for retrocaval ureter.

Robotic transposition and ureteroureterostomy of type 1 retrocaval ureter

Retrocaval ureter (RCU) is a rare malformation of the inferior vena cava. We report a case of a 60-years-old female presented with right flank pain and computed tomography scan diagnosis of (RCU). She underwent robotic transposition and ureteroureterostomy of RCU. No complications were recorded. After 1 year of follow-up the patient remains asymptomatic and without signs of obstruction. Robotic repair of RCU with preservation of the retrocaval segment is a safe procedure with the advantages of the vision and dexterity in dissection and suturing.

Robot-assisted transperitoneal reconstruction of a retrocaval ureter: A report of two cases

A retrocaval ureter (RCU) is a rare cause of congenital ureteral obstruction that often requires surgical repair. We report two cases of RCU in adults treated with robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. In both cases, we performed robotic ureteroureterostomy with dissection of the entire length of the retrocaval portion of the right ureter without complications. In the second case, renal stone removal was simultaneously performed. The robot-assisted procedure we performed could be considered safe and feasible for the surgical repair of an RCU.

Rare case of carcinoma in situ originated in right retrocaval ureter successfully managed with laparoscopic procedure

INTRODUCTION

A retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by the persistence of the posterior subcardinal vein on the right, which causes the proximal ureter to deviate medially behind the inferior vena cava. The presence of retrocaval ureter is usually found because of the development of progressive hydronephrosis, but many cases are clinically silent. In addition, an urothelial malignancy associated with retrocaval ureter is very rare.

CASE PRESENTATION

Herein we report a very rare case of a 57-year-old male with retrocaval ureter and carcinoma in situ diagnosed by ureteroscopy. In spite of strong adhesion in the area of the ureter behind the inferior vena cava, dissection was successfully managed by a laparoscopic procedure after cutting the ureter and separating it into two segments.

CONCLUSION

Early histopathological diagnosis and radical laparoscopic surgery based on the results of ureteroscopy may lead to a good outcome, even in retrocaval ureter cases with a carcinoma in situ.