Robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction: comparison between pediatric and adult patients-Japanese series

Robotic-assisted procedures are gaining traction as a viable form of minimally invasive surgery in the field of reconstructive surgery. In this article, the aim is to present our initial experience and clinical outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RAL-P). We performed RAL-P in 22 patients for the management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction between December 2012 and August 2015. The da Vinci® S surgical system was utilized for all cases. All procedures were performed via a transperitoneal approach. We assessed perioperative outcomes, and furthermore, compared between pediatric and adult patients undergoing this procedure. Dismembered procedures were performed in 19 patients. Three patients underwent Y-V plasty, and two patients who experienced failure during the primary pyeloplasty had to undergo reoperation. Although the console time for pediatric patients was significantly shorter than that of adults (123.1 ± 18.3, 162.4 ± 23.9 min, respectively, p < 0.001), success rate was not significantly different between pediatric and adults (100 vs 90 %, p = 0.512). According to a comparison of surgical outcomes by age, the console time was significantly shorter in pediatric than in adult patients. This finding may be attributable to the differences in intraabdominal fatty tissues. Besides, RAL-P with Y–V plasty was applicable even for cases of failed pyeloplasty. In conclusion, the surgical outcomes of RAL-P were favorable and safe for both pediatric and adult patients, and comparable to findings of previous reports. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case series of RAL-P in Japan.