Computer assisted laparoscopic pneumovesical ureter reimplantation a.m. Cohen: initial experience in a pig model

To assess the feasibility of a new variant of laparoscopic Cohen cross-trigonal ureter reimplantation in vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) using telesurgical equipment. VUR was induced in 8 female pigs by transurethral unroofing of the ureteric orifices. Three months later the reflux was verified by a cystography. A cross-trigonal ureter reimplantation a.m. Cohen was performed by laparoscopic access to the bladder using the da Vinci telesurgical system. The 12 mm camera port was placed below the umbilicus, two 8 mm working ports for the robotic system were placed lateral to the rectus muscles and an additional port for assistance between camera and right working port. The outcome was assessed 3 months later by a new cystography. The operative time for a single reimplantation varied from 45 to 90 minutes. In all pigs the reflux disappeared after the procedure, which was complicated by a postoperative port hernia in two animals. Laparoscopic transvesical ureter reimplantation using telesurgical equipment is a feasible method in the few cases this procedure is indicated. The advantage of the robotic equipment is the better access to submucosal tunneling of the ureter and the intravesical suturing of the anastomosis indicated by shorter operative time and success rates similar to the open procedure.