Stentless pediatric robotic pyeloplasty

OBJECTIVES: Open dismembered pyeloplasty remains the standard of care for the correction of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children. We describe our experience with a tubeless, stentless pediatric robotic pyeloplasty technique. METHODS: Between October 2008 and September 2009, 12 consecutive children underwent robotic dismembered pyeloplasty. Ureteral stents or nephrostomy tubes were not used. Operative time, hospital stay, days of Jackson-Pratt drainage, and complications were analyzed. Postoperative renal ultrasonography was obtained at 4-6 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 9.1 years (3.5-16). The mean operative and console times were 178 (122-250) and 129 (96-193) minutes, respectively. The Jackson-Pratt drain was removed after a mean of 1.8 days (1-4). The mean hospital stay was 2.4 days (1-4.5). There were no complications. Mean follow up was 16 months (12-24 months). All patients had complete resolution of symptoms. Hydronephrosis either completely resolved or significantly decreased in all cases. In cases without complete resolution of hydronephrosis, 99m Tc-MAG-3 diuretic renography showed preservation of renal function without obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty can be safely performed without internal indwelling stent drainage. In children, this avoids the need for additional anesthesia and stent-related morbidity.