Robot-assisted complex urinary tract reconstruction using intestinal segments: redefining the paradigm

Complex urinary tract reconstruction has significantly advanced with the increasing use of robot-assisted procedures. Robotic surgery aims to achieve the same outcomes as open surgery while minimizing morbidity by causing less blood loss, faster postoperative recovery, and reducing complications. This article shares our technique, challenges encountered, and experience of robot-assisted complex urinary tract reconstruction using intestinal segments. Between January 2020 to March 2022, 6 patients who underwent robot-assisted complex urinary tract reconstruction using intestinal segments at our centre were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, clinical, and operative data were recorded. Patients underwent renal function tests, blood gas analysis, and radiographic imaging in the follow-up. Symptomatic and radiologic relief were the criteria for success. Out of 6 cases, three patients underwent ileal ureter replacement, two combined ileal ureter with augmentation ileo-cystoplasty and one augmentation ileo-cystoplasty alone. The mean age, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, and follow-up period were 32.6 years, 110 ± 13.1 mL, 7.0 ± 1.1 days, and 11.3 months, respectively. The indications for surgery were either benign ureteral stricture following lithotripsy or sequelae of genitourinary tuberculosis. No intra-operative complications were found. Clavien-Dindo grade-II and Grade-IIIa were found in three and one patient, respectively. During follow-up, none had compromised renal function or acidosis. Robot-assisted complex urinary tract reconstruction using intestinal segments is safe and offers the advantages of minimally invasive techniques. Techniques demonstrated in this article make these reconstructions feasible with good surgical and clinical outcomes.