Outcomes in Pediatric Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Heminephrectomy Compared with Contemporary Open and Laparoscopic Series

PURPOSE: To compare our renal and clinical outcomes for robot-assisted laparoscopic heminephrectomy (RAL-HN) in the pediatric population with duplicated systems with those of current contemporary open and laparoscopic series. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen children underwent RAL-HN from 2009 to 2014. Data were collected via retrospective chart review including demographics, preoperative and postoperative imaging, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), complications, and renal outcomes. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 37.5±49.2 months. Mean operative time was 135±36 minutes with an EBL of 10±5 mL. Mean LOS was 2±0.8 days, and no major perioperative complications were observed. Mean follow-up was 22.1±17.2 months. Two patients needed secondary ureterectomy for recurrent urinary tract infection in the setting of a refluxing ureteral stump. One of these patients also underwent a ureteral reimplantation of the ipsilateral normal ureter. No patients lost their remaining healthy moiety. Asymptomatic cyst formation was seen in four (25%) patients, and self- limited postoperative urinoma was seen in 2 (13%) patients. Postoperative perinephric abscess did not develop in any patient. Mean change in renal function based on nuclear renography of the duplex kidney was -2.7%±4.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with previously published literature evaluating open and laparoscopic heminephrectomy, RAL-HN provides comparable outcomes in regard to complication rate and renal function of the remnant moiety.