Minimal invasive surgery of the distal ureter: indications, advantages and technical considerations from a single-center preliminary experience

The management of vesicoureteric junction (VUJ) diseases is a common and controversial problem in pediatric urology. Minimal invasive approaches were described for vesicoureteric reflux (VUR), obstructive megaureter (POM) and complicated duplex systems treatments. The aim of this paper is to describe our experience with minimal invasive approach focusing on technical considerations and preliminary outcomes. Data about patient aged between 0 and 18 years who underwent minimal invasive surgery for VUR, POM or complicated duplex system, were prospectively collected. Complications were classified according to Clavien–Dindo classification. One senior surgeon, trained in laparoscopy, performed surgeries (Lich Gregoir reimplantation, dismembered reimplantation and ureteroureterostomy). Seventeen patients were included in the study; thirteen had an extravesical reimplantation (nine non-dismembered, four dismembered) and four had an ureteroureterostomy. No complications were described. Median operating time was 98.5 min and median hospital stay was 4.1 days. Median follow-up was 7.5 months. Success rate for VUR was 78%; for dismembered reimplantation, one case showed post-operative VUR. Functional studies showed an improvement in split renal function on the pathologic moieties in patients treated by ureteroureterostomy for complicated ectopic ureters. This preliminary experience in minimal invasive surgery of the distal ureter shows that this approach is feasible and safe, reduces hospitalization and gives better cosmetic. Results may be impacted by the surgeon’s learning curve and technical modifications. As robotic procedures are described to be more effective and safe, less technical demanding and associated with good results, switching from laparoscopic to robot-assisted surgery could be useful to improve results.