Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2025

An Immature Murine Model of Reversible Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction
Published on: April 4, 2025
Robotic approach to the uretero-vesical junction in children: An international multicentric retrospective study
Francesco Molinaro1, Francesca Nascimben1, Camilla Todesco1,2
1Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neuroscience, Section of Pediatric Surgery, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Background:
Robot-assisted approach to UVJ is getting more and more used in pediatric patients.
Methods:
In this retrospective study 26 patients affected by nephro-urological malformations, robotic-surgically treated from 2016 and 2021 at 3 Pediatric Surgery Department were included: 3 (11.5%) primary obstructive megaureter, 2 (7.7%) dysplastic kidneys, 3 (11.5%) duplex collecting system, 18 (69.2%) primary vescico-ureteral reflux (VUR).
Results:
Mean age at surgery was 6 years old. 22 (84.6%) underwent Lich Gregoire extravesical ureteral reimplantation, 4 (15.4%) total nephroureterectomy. Mean operative time was 230 min. No conversions or intraoperative complications. Median hospital stay was 4 days. There were 4 (15.38%) postoperative complications: 3 (11.54%) persistent VUR and 1 (3.84%) refluxing megaureter. 2 (7.7%) redo-surgery.
Conclusions:
Robotic Surgery should be considered a safe and effective technique for treatment of UVJ anomalies in children, because it firstly allows surgeons to approach both upper and lower ureteral ends without modifying trocars' placement.
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