[ROBOTIC-ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC PYELOPLASTY (RALP) FOR URETEROPELVIC JUNCTION OBSTRUCTION (UPJO) IN THE PEDIATRIC...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Robotic Surgery

Background:

• Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a common cause of hydronephrosis in children.
• Traditional surgical approaches for UPJO include open and laparoscopic pyeloplasty.
• Robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) offers potential advantages in precision and visualization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the multi-institutional experience with robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) for pediatric ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).
• To assess the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of RALP in a diverse pediatric population, including complex cases.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter retrospective chart review was conducted.
• Data included demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters.
• Outcomes and complications of RALP in 199 pediatric patients were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 199 children underwent RALP for UPJO over an 8-year period, including complex cases (e.g., low weight, redo procedures, complex anatomy).
• The median operative time was 80 minutes, with a median hospitalization of 1.4 days.
• A high success rate of 98% was achieved at a median follow-up of 20 months, with low complication rates (predominantly UTIs).

Conclusions:

• Robotic-assisted pyeloplasty is a safe and effective procedure for pediatric UPJO.
• RALP is suitable for children of all ages and can be successfully applied to complex UPJO cases.
• RALP has become the gold standard for UPJO treatment at the participating institutions.