Outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic upper urinary tract reconstruction: 250 consecutive patients
Tracy Marien1, Marc A Bjurlin1, Blake Wynia1
1Department of Urology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
Objective:
To evaluate the long-term outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) upper urinary tract (UUT) reconstruction performed at a tertiary referral centre.
Materials And Methods:
Data from 250 consecutive patients undergoing RAL UUT reconstruction, including pyeloplasty with or without stone extraction, ureterolysis, uretero-ureterostomy, ureterocalicostomy, ureteropyelostomy, ureteric reimplantation and buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty, were collected at a tertiary referral centre between March 2003 and December 2013. The primary outcomes were symptomatic and radiographic improvement of obstruction and complication rate. The mean follow-up was 17.1 months.
Results:
Radiographic and symptomatic success rates ranged from 85% to 100% for each procedure, with a 98% radiographic success rate and 97% symptomatic success rate for the entire series. There were a total of 34 complications, none greater than Clavien grade 3.
Conclusion:
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic UUT can be performed with few complications, with durable long-term success, and is a reasonable alternative to the open procedure in experienced robotic surgeons.
