[Efficacy of the retroperitoneal-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty versus the mini posterior lumbotomy approach]

To evaluate the results of the retroperitoneal-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) versus the mini posterior lumbotomy pyeloplasty (MPLP).

A retrospective study of 77 patients diagnosed with ureteropelvic junction obstruction between 2007 and 2013 was made, analyzing the surgical technique, complications and results. The anteroposterior pelvic diameter of the kidney, the thickness of the renal parenchyma, the renal function and the morphology of the renogram curve were also evaluated and compared.

We performed 50 RALP and 21 MPLP. Median age of intervention: 10.85 moths (ICR 86.8) in RALP and 23.30 moths (ICR 54.7) in MPLP. No significant differences were found in surgical time (p>0.05). Double J was left in 90% of the RALP and 52.4% of the MPLP. Median length of incision was 1.5 cm of the RALP and 3.0cm in MPLP(p<0.05). The Median hospital stay was 2.0 days and 3.0 respectively (p<0.05). We found surgical complications (restenosis and urinoma) in 9 patients of the RALP group and 1 in the mini lumbotomy group (p>0,05). The follow-up was performed using ultrasound in an average of 68,04 months of age (range 7.5-186.5) and diuretic renogram in an average of 50,25 months of age (range 6,6-173,8). The above parameters showed improvements in both groups of patients without significant differences.

In our experience, the RALP is a technique with a greater rate of complications than the expected. Moreover, the MPLP, is a technique we consider safe and with adequate aesthetic and functional results.