Robotic-assisted laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy and concomitant ureteral re-implantation: initial clinical...

We present our initial clinical experience with robotic-assisted laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy with associated ureteral re-implantation. A 75-year-old man was referred to us for recurrent urinary tract infections and lower urinary tract symptoms. On computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis the patient was found to have a 13 × 14 × 6 cm diverticulum in the left posterior bladder wall. The patient elected to undergo robotic-assisted laparoscopic removal of the diverticulum. The patient's preparation, draping, and trocar placement was performed as per standard fashion of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The bladder was mobilized and diverticulum was identified and removed. The left ureter was transected secondary to its passage through the diverticulum, and required re-implantation. After hemostasis was achieved, the repair was tested and confirmed. The operation was completed in 207 min without any complications. Estimated blood loss was 150 cc. On postoperative day 1, the patient was placed on oral analgesic and discharged home. Our initial report of robotic-assisted laparoscopic bladder diverticulectomy and ureteral re-implantation illustrates that this minimally invasive technique is an effective method of treatment of bladder diverticulum. Proximity of the ureter to the diverticulum should not be a deterrent for this approach of repair.