Experience with detrusorotomy in children by open and robotic approach

To present the author's experience with detrusorotomy (DM) for refractory detrusor overactivity (RDO) with open and robotic approach.

Children who underwent DM for RDO in a single surgeon series since 2012 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Those who completed the defined strict bladder cycling regime postoperatively were included in this report excluding those who failed the bladder cycling regime.

Ten children (M7: F3) were included in this report, six open and four robotic. All procedures were completed with no conversion to open in the robotic group. There were no intra or postoperative complications from the procedures. Duration of procedure was lower in robotic group (125 min) vs the open group at (208 min). Hospital stay was also lower in the robotic group (2.7 days) compared to the open group (5.6 days). All children in open group had concomitant Mitrofanoff channel created for bladder drainage. One child in robotic group had concomitant Mitrofanoff channel during DM. Median follow-up is longer at 54 months (31-82) in open group compared to 14 months (5-21). All children are clinically well with safe upper tracts on US scan in both series. Estimated % change in bladder capacity is similar in both groups at 140 (90-200) and 126 (80-200) for open and robotic groups, respectively.

DM as an extension of medical treatment for RDO can be performed safely and is effective in children. Preliminary experience with robotic approach to DM is promising with reduced duration of procedure and hospital stay.