Transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site ureteral reimplantation

Transabdominal approach laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation at the top of the bladder for the treatment of primary obstructive megaureter

Background

Congenital primary obstructive megaureter (POM) is characterized by distal ureteral obstruction, leading to ureteral dilation, hydronephrosis, and potential renal impairment. Surgical intervention is necessary for severe hydronephrosis (SFU grade III-IV) or progressive renal decline. Open ureteral reimplantation is the standard treatment but is associated with significant surgical trauma and prolonged recovery. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of transabdominal laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (TALUR) at the posterior wall-bladder dome and compares its outcomes with the Politano procedure.

Methods

This retrospective, single-center study included pediatric POM patients who underwent ureteral reimplantation at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from October 2019 to December 2023. Patients were assigned to the TALUR group (n = 21) or the Politano group (n = 20). Preoperative imaging, including renal ultrasound, magnetic resonance urography (MRU), and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), confirmed the diagnosis. Primary endpoints included postoperative distal ureteral diameter, renal pelvic diameter, surgical success rate, perioperative complications, hospital stay, and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) incidence. Follow-up assessments included ultrasound, MRU, and VCUG.

Results

All procedures were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. The TALUR group had a significantly shorter operative time (76.5 ± 12.6 min) compared to the Politano group (95.7 ± 14.8 min, P < 0.05). Postoperatively, distal ureteral diameter decreased from 14.6 ± 3.7 mm-4.8 ± 2.1 mm (P < 0.05), and renal pelvic dilation improved from 24.7 ± 5.3 mm-12.3 ± 2.6 mm (P < 0.05). The TALUR group had a shorter hospital stay (4.5 ± 0.5 vs. 6.1 ± 0.7 days, P < 0.05). Follow-up MRU showed improved ureteral patency and resolution of hydronephrosis. VCUG at six months showed mild VUR in two TALUR patients (9.5%) and one Politano patient (5.0%), all resolving within one year.

Conclusion

TALUR is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique for pediatric POM. Compared to the Politano procedure, TALUR offers shorter operative time, faster recovery, and comparable efficacy. Further large-scale studies are required to confirm its long-term effectiveness.

Surgical management of vesicoureteral junction obstruction (VUJO) in children: A comparative study between transvesicoscopic Cohen reimplantation and transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site (TU-LESS) Lich-Gregoir techniques

BACKGROUND

There are many reports on the application of minimally invasive technology in the correction of children's VUJO, but there is no report on the treatment of children's VUJO by the TU-LESS Lich-Gregoir method. We aimed to comparatively analyze the therapeutic outcomes of transvesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation Cohen procedure (TUR-C) and TU-LESS surgery Lich-Gregoir procedure (TU-LESS-LG) in pediatric VUJO.

METHODS

The data of 49 children with VUJO admitted from January 2016 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on different surgical methods, they were divided into the TUR-C group (23 cases) and the TU-LESS-LG group (26 cases). The demographic characteristics, perioperative characteristics, postoperative complications, the recovery of renal function, and the improvement of hydronephrosis were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There were no statistical differences in demographic characteristics and preoperative data between the two groups. The TU-LESS-LG group was superior to the TUR-C in terms of average operation time and postoperative hospital stay. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative complications, postoperative recovery of renal function, and improvement of hydronephrosis.

CONCLUSION

The two surgical methods can achieve a similar curative effect in the treatment of VUJO. The TU-LESS-LG has more advantages in operation time, postoperative hospital stays, the wider age selection range of cases, megaureter tapering, and cosmetic incision, but the operation is more difficult.

Single-Site Laparoscopy and Robotic Surgery in Pediatric Urology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, we summarize research that has evaluated the role of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) and robotic surgery in pediatric urology, highlighting new and/or controversial ideas.

RECENT FINDINGS

The newest research developments over the last several years are studies that address generalizability of these techniques, ideal patient factors, extrapolation to more complex surgeries, and comparative studies to more traditional techniques to define the associated costs and benefits, as well as patient-centered outcomes. Specifically in the field of LESS, addressing the limitations of suboptimal vision, instrument crowding, and loss of triangulation have been a focus. The literature is now replete with new applications for robotic surgery as well as descriptions of the specific technical challenges inherent to pediatrics. Robotic surgery and LESS are areas of growth in pediatric urology that allow continual innovation and expansion of technology within a surgeon's armamentarium.

Comparative study of hybrid laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) partial nephrectomy and conventional multiport laparoscopy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the surgical and oncological outcomes of hybrid laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) in partial nephrectomy with reusable components compared with multiport laparoscopy.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Hybrid LESS technique with auxiliary 3.5mm trocar (n=20) was compared with conventional multiport laparoscopy (n=26) by a prospective, paired, nonrandomized, and comparative study in partially nephrectomized patients.

RESULTS

Follow-up average was 31±18.6 months. In one case, LESS was converted to laparoscopy. No differences were found regarding age, sex, body mass index, laterality, localization, tumor size or use of double J stent. Dominance of Loop-I (P=0.09) and benign histology (P=0.05) were observed in the LESS group. Neither there were differences regarding operating time, ischemia time, use of hemostatic materials, estimated blood loss, postoperative hemoglobin levels, transfusion or other complications. In any case, to extend the skin incision for specimen extraction was not necessary. Drainage time (P=0.006) and hospital stay (P=0.003) were better in LESS patients. Concerning complications, no significant differences were observed according Clavien-Dindo scale. In laparoscopic group one patient died of pulmonary embolism after hospital discharge. No positive margins were observed in any case. During follow-up neither tumor recurrence nor disease progression were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding surgical outcomes, partial nephrectomy by LESS technique does not imply improvements, excepting shorter hospital stay, probably due to accurate surgical hemostasis and/or selection of cases. No surgical and oncological risks are involved, as well as no improvement in ischemia time, blood loss or transfusion rate. We find no significant difference in cosmetic outcomes.

Laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy with an intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique for distal ureteral injury secondary to gynecological surgery: a retrospective comparison with laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the operative and postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy (LAP-UU) using a retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique with laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy (LAP-UNC) in treating ureteral injury after gynecological surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study analyzed 60 ureteral injury repairs performed between May 2010 and February 2016 in patients who underwent either LAP-UU using the retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique (n = 26) or LAP-UNC (n = 34). Demographic parameters, operative variables and perioperative outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. The chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test and Student's t test were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Demographic and clinical data revealed no significant differences between patients in each group in terms of age, body mass index, length of obstruction, incidence of postoperative urinary leakage, incidence of urinary tract infection during hospitalization, oral antibiotics, mean hospital stay, incidence of recurrent obstruction, rate of conversion to open surgery and mean operative time. The LAP-UU group had significantly less estimated blood loss (85 ± 40 vs 120 ± 35 ml, p = .0006) and a significantly lower incidence of vesicoureteral reflux (grade I) on cystography (0/26 vs 6/34, p = .031) during a mean follow-up of 36.5 months (range 7-71 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with LAP-UNC, LAP-UU is also a technically feasible and safe option for repairing distal ureteral injury secondary to gynecological surgery. The intraoperative retrograde ureteroscopy-assisted technique during LAP-UU contributes to precise localization of the lesion, reduces intraoperative bleeding, enables sufficient dissection of the intramural ureter and preserves its natural antireflux mechanism.

Comparative study of multiport laparoscopy and umbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery with reusable platform for treating renal masses

INTRODUCTION

Umbilical laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery is an increasingly used modality for treating renal masses. We present a prospective comparison between LESS renal surgery and conventional laparoscopy.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A comparative paired study was conducted that evaluated the surgical results and complications of patients with renal neoplasia treated with LESS surgery (n=49) or multiport laparoscopy (n=53). The LESS approach was performed with reusable material placed in the navel and double-rotation curved instruments. An additional 3.5-mm port was employed in 69.4% of the cases. We assessed demographic data, the type of technique (nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy), surgical time, blood loss, haemoglobin, need for transfusion, number and severity of complications (Clavien-Dindo), hospital stay, histological data and prognosis.

RESULTS

There were no differences in follow-up, age, sex, body mass index, preoperative haemoglobin levels or type of surgery. Conversion occurred in 2 cases (1 in each group). The surgical time was equivalent (P=.6). Intraoperative transfusion (P=.03) and blood loss (P<.0001) was lower with LESS, postoperative haemoglobin levels were higher (P<.0001) and haemostatic agents were used more frequently (P<.0001). There were no differences in the number (P=.6) or severity (P=.47) of complications. The length of stay (P<.0001), the proportion of patients with drainage (P=.04) and the number of days with drainage (P=.0004) were lower in LESS. Twenty-five percent of the lesions operated on with LESS were benign, but the mean size was similar in the 2 groups (P=.5). Tumour recurrence and/or progression were more frequent in multiport laparoscopy (P=.0013).

CONCLUSIONS

Umbilical LESS surgery with reusable platform enables various surgical techniques to be performed when treating renal masses, with time consumption and safety comparable to conventional laparoscopy. The LESS approach is advantageous in terms of blood loss and hospital stay.

Two-Port Laparoscopic Reconstructive Surgery of the Urinary Tract with Reusable Umbilical System (Hybrid Less): A Proof of Concept Study

OBJECTIVES

We compared perioperative results and complications of reconstructive surgery of the urinary tract performed using a multichannel platform through the umbilicus and one additional 3.5-mm with a cohort of patients simultaneously treated with conventional 4-port laparoscopy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Matched-pair study comparing perioperative outcomes, postoperative visual analogue pain scale (VAPS) and morbidity of 2-port (n = 20) and 4-port (n = 10) laparoscopic reconstructive urological surgery. Preoperative and perioperative data compared included demographics, type of surgery, operative time, blood loss, decrease in serum hemoglobin, operative complications, length of stay and postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between groups regarding age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, type of surgery, operative time, operative complications and intraoperative or postoperative transfusion. Estimated blood loss was lower using reduced-port approach. VAPS at postoperative day one was significantly lower for 2-port approach and so was the length of stay. Patient satisfaction with the wound was higher for 2-port surgery. Differences were not observed in number and severity of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Urological reconstructive operations can be safely performed using the hybrid laparoendoscopic single-site umbilical approach, resulting in lower blood loss, higher patient satisfaction and lower postoperative pain, which also facilitate earlier hospital discharge, than the same reconstructive procedures performed through multiport conventional laparoscopy.