Robot‐assisted laparoscopic ureteric reimplantation: extravesical technique

Abstract

Objectives To describe our standardised approach to performing robot‐assisted extravesical ureteric reimplantation. Patients and Methods A total of 29 children, with high grade ( III – V ) vesico‐ureteric reflux ( VUR ) underwent robot‐assisted extravesical ureteric reimplantation between S eptember 2010 and S eptember 2013. Follow‐up renal ultrasonography was performed at 1 month and 3 months and a voiding cysto‐urethrogram ( VCUG ) was obtained at 4 months to assess VUR resolution. Results The mean (range) patient age at the time of surgery was 5.38 (3.0–10.0) years. Postoperative VCUG showed complete resolution of VUR in 32/40 ureters (80%). Of the remaining refluxing ureters, downgrading of VUR on VCUG was shown in 7/8 ureters (87.5%). The mean (range) length of hospital stay was 1.8 (1–3) days. Conclusions In conclusion, robot‐assisted extravesical ureteric reimplantation is technically feasible with acceptable resolution of VUR.