Laparoscopic and Robotic Management of Ureteral Stricture in Adults

The aim of this review was to provide an update on the status of minimal invasive treatment of ureteral stricture either with a laparoscopic or robotic surgery.

Eligible studies, published until November 2019 were retrieved through Medline, Cochrane and Pubmed databases. Predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria were used as selection method for data synthesis and acquisition. The study was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement.

A total of 19 retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria. All of them demonstrated the safety, feasibility and success of both laparoscopic and robotic ureteral reconstruction. Individual case series or cumulative comparison analysis of the available studies showed at least equivalent success rates and a trend favoring laparoscopic and robotic groups in terms of estimated blood loss and length of hospital stay to the detriment of longer operative times and possibly higher cost.

Current evidence suggests the effectiveness, safety and increasing incorporation of minimally invasive techniques for complex stricture repair and reconstruction.