Da Vinci Walks the Pebbled Streets of a Primary Obstructed Megaureter with Ureterocele

Primary obstructed megaureter (POM) usually refers to primary dilated ureters in which vesicoureteral reflux and other secondary causes of lower ureteral obstruction have been ruled out. We herein present a case of obstructed megaureter with a dilated saccular lower end representing an ureterocele and concomitant multiple multifaceted stones almost completely filling the dilated tortuous ureter of a normally functioning and excreting kidney. Our index case was a 45-year-old lady with intermittent right flank pain for a year with acute colic since a week. Imaging revealed a grossly dilated tortuous ureter with >50 multifaceted stones all along its length, an ureterocele, and mild hydronephrosis. She underwent a robot-assisted ureterolithotomy and complete stone clearance followed by ureteral reimplantation over an ureteral stent. Postoperative course was uneventful and on follow-up at 3 weeks, stent was removed after checking a cystogram. The da Vinci system with its minimally invasive approach and better ergonomics made it quite convenient to remove all 52 stones, ensuring an excellent postoperative recuperation and incomparable cosmesis. POM in adults is usually symptomatic and associated with complications, and surgery remains the mainstay of treatment when it is associated with calculi. Ureteral tailoring and ureteroneocystostomy with extraction of stones were done for at-risk kidneys and to prevent further renal deterioration. However, these efforts appear futile when the severe renal impairment has set in and nephroureterectomy is thus required. The robotic approach for reconstruction is a safe, effective, and feasible option with excellent perioperative results.