Safety profile and complications of transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty: a critical analysis

To critically assess the safety profile and complications of the transperitoneal approach to laparoscopic pyeloplasty at our center.

From January 2002 to January 2004, 92 patients with a mean age of 22.78 +/- 15.15 years (range 14 months-65 years) with primary (N = 90) or secondary (N = 2) ureteropelvic junction obstruction were treated by transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty and were evaluated for this study. Renal stones were present in eight patients. A double-J stent was placed antegrade in 50 patients and in the rest through cystoscopy. All patients were followed up clinically and by renal scan.

Of the 92 cases (93 renal units), 6 were converted to open pyeloplasty. Dismembered pyeloplasty was performed in 59, Fengerplasty in 8, and Foley Y-V-plasty in 20 units. A crossing vessel was present in 15 units (16.12%). The mean estimated blood loss was 63.6 mL (range, 30-200 mL). The mean operative time was 179.4 minutes (range 80-350 minutes). Overall, 17 patients (18.4%) had complications. Six patients had paralytic ileus and another six had increased drain output, which delayed the hospital stay to 7 days. Pyelonephritis and port-site hernia occurred in one patient each. Four patients required ancillary procedures: ureteroscopy for a migrating stent (1), percutaneous antegrade stenting (1), and SWL for residual stone (2). The mean hospital stay was 4 days (range 2-7 days). Of the 87 units (86 patients), 81 (93.3%) have shown improvement in symptoms and drainage pattern on renal scan at a mean followup of 12 (3-27) months.

The transperitoneal approach to pyeloplasty is safe and effective, although patients with large stone bulk and multiple stones should be considered for an alternative approach. The double-J stent should be checked carefully for proper placement. Hemostasis of the cut margin of the renal pelvis, watertight anastomosis, and adequate drainage should also be ensured.