Our experience with laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes ureteropyeloplasty.

OBJECTIVE To analyze whether the application of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of pyeloureteral junction obstruction (PUJO) has been beneficial for pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Medical records of all patients undergoing PUJO surgery from January 1997 to December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with <6-month follow-up and patients undergoing video-assisted surgery were excluded. Open surgery was compared with laparoscopic surgery. The following data were collected: surgical approach, need for and type of urinary diversion, operating time, mean hospital stay, complications, and restenosis rate. Ultrasound and diuretic renogram parameters were also retrieved. RESULTS 328 Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasties were analyzed, 142 of which had been performed laparoscopically. Overall success rate was 96.6%, and complication rate was 11.9%. No significant differences were noted between open and laparoscopic surgery. In 97.5% of surgeries, urine was diverted using an external nephroureteral catheter, a double J stent, or a Salle stent, with significant differences between open and laparoscopic surgery. Mean operating time was significantly longer in laparoscopic surgery. Mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic surgery group. CONCLUSION Surgical approach does not play a role in PUJO surgery success. Therefore, in our view, laparoscopic surgery should be the technique of choice in pediatric patients.