Robot-Assisted Ureteral Reimplantation: A Single-Center Comparative Study.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Ureteral strictures can significantly impact patient quality of life.
• Open ureteral reimplantation (OUR) is the traditional treatment, but associated with considerable morbidity.
• Robot-assisted ureteral reimplantation (RAUR) has emerged as a potential minimally invasive alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a single-center experience with robot-assisted ureteral reimplantation (RAUR).
• To compare the outcomes of RAUR with those of open ureteral reimplantation (OUR).
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of RAUR for mid to distal ureteral strictures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of patients who underwent RAUR or OUR between 2016 and 2020.
• Data collection included baseline, pathologic, perioperative, and postoperative features.
• Statistical comparison of outcomes between RAUR and OUR groups.

Main Results:

• RAUR group (21 patients) showed significantly shorter operative time (216 vs 317 min) and blood loss (35 vs 175 mL) compared to OUR (28 patients).
• No significant difference in overall or major complication rates (Clavien-Dindo ≥III) between the groups.
• RAUR was associated with shorter hospital stay (2 vs 6 days) and catheterization time (16 vs 28 days).

Conclusions:

• Robot-assisted ureteral reimplantation (RAUR) is a safe and effective minimally invasive option for ureteral strictures.
• RAUR achieves comparable success rates to open ureteral reimplantation (OUR).
• RAUR offers benefits of reduced surgical morbidity and faster postoperative recovery.