Robot-assisted Extravesical Ureteral Reimplantation Research Articles

Pediatric robot-assisted extravesical ureteral reimplantation (revur) in simple and complex ureter anatomy: Report of a multicenter experience

Robot-assisted extravesical ureteral reimplantation (REVUR) is a well established approach for surgical treatment of pediatric vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). However, further evidence is needed to confirm its efficacy even in case of complex anatomy. This study aimed to further confirm the evidence that REVUR is safe and effective in both simple and complex ureter anatomy. The charts of all patients with VUR, who received REVUR in 6 different institutions over a 5-year period, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with both simple and complex ureter anatomy were included. Patient demographics, surgical variables, and post-operative results were assessed. VUR resolution was defined as either being resolved VUR on voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) or clinically without symptoms during the follow-up. Fifty-seven patients with median age of 6.9 years (range 4.5-12), receiving REVUR in the study period, were included. Eighteen (31.6%) patients had complex anatomy and included prior failed endoscopic injection (n=13), complete ureteral duplication (n=2), periureteral diverticulum (n=2), ectopic megaureter requiring dismembering (n=1). The median operative time was 155min for unilateral and 211.5min for bilateral repairs. The clinical+radiographic VUR resolution rate was 96.5%. Post-operative complications (Clavien 2) included urinary retention following bilateral repair (n=5, 8.7%), febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) (n=6, 10.5%) and gross hematuria (n=3, 5.2%). Comparative analysis between simple and complex cases showed that REVUR was faster in simple cases in both unilateral [p=0.002] and bilateral repair [p=0.001] and post-operative urinary retention was more frequent in simple cases [p=0.004] and in patients with pre-operative bowel and bladder dysfunction (BBD) [p=0.001] (Table). This series confirmed that the robot-assisted technique was feasible even in cases with complex anatomy using some technical refinements, that justified the longer operative times in both unilateral and bilateral cases. An interesting finding of this study was the correlation emerged between BBD and risk of post-operative urinary retention and VUR persistence. Our results also excluded any significant correlation between complex cases and risk of post-operative urinary retention. The main study limitations included the retrospective and nonrandomized design, the small number of cases and the arbitrary definition of complex anatomy. REVUR was safe and effective for management of VUR in both simple and complex ureter anatomy. Complex REVUR required slightly longer operative times, without significant differences in post-operative mordidity and success rates. Aside from complex anatomy, BBD emerged as the main risk factor associated with surgical failure and post-operative morbidity.

Robot-assisted extravesical ureteral reimplantation (revur) for unilateral vesico-ureteral reflux in children: results of a multicentric international survey.

This multicentric international retrospective study aimed to report the outcome of robot-assisted extravesical ureteral reimplantation (REVUR) in patients with unilateral vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR). The medical records of 55 patients (35 girls, 20 boys) underwent REVUR in four international centers of pediatric robotic surgery for primary unilateral VUR were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' average age was 4.9years. The preoperative grade of reflux was III in 12.7%, IV in 47.3% and V in 40%. Twenty-six patients (47.3%) presented a loss of renal function preoperatively and 10 (18.1%) had a duplex system. Average robot docking time was 16.2min (range 5-30). Average total operative time was 92.2min (range 50-170). No conversions or intra-operative complications were recorded. All patients had a bladder Foley catheter for 24h post-operatively. Average hospital stay was 2days (range 1-3). Average follow-up length was 28months (range 9-60). We recorded three (5.4%) postoperative complications: 1 small urinoma resolved spontaneously (II Clavien) and 2 persistent reflux, only one requiring redo-surgery using endoscopic injection (IIIb Clavien). REVUR is a safe and effective technique for treatment of primary unilateral VUR. The procedure is easy and fast to perform thanks to the 6° of freedom of robotic arms. The learning curve is short and it is useful to begin the robotics experience with a surgeon expert in robotic surgery as proctor on the 2nd robot console. The high cost and the diameter of instruments remain the main challenges of robotics applications in pediatric urology.

Outcomes of complex robot-assisted extravesical ureteral reimplantation in the pediatric population

While open ureteral reimplantation remains the gold standard for surgical treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), minimally invasive approaches offer potential benefits. This study evaluated the outcomes of children undergoing complex robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (RALUR) for failed previous anti-reflux surgery, complex anatomy, or ureterovesical junction obstruction (UVJO), and compared them with patients undergoing open extravesical repair. Children undergoing complex RALUR or open extravesical ureteral reimplantation (OUR) were identified. Reimplantation was classified as complex if ureters: 1) had previous anti-reflux surgery, 2) required tapering and/or dismembering, or 3) had associated duplication or diverticulum. Seventeen children underwent complex RALUR during a 24-month period, compared with 41 OUR. The mean follow-up was 16.6±6.5 months. The RALUR children were significantly older (9.3±3.7 years) than the OUR patients (3.1±2.7 years; P<0.001). All RALUR patients were discharged on postoperative day one, while 24.4% of children in the open group required longer hospitalization (mean 1.3±0.7 days; P=0.03). Adjusting for age, there was no significant difference in inpatient analgesic usage between the two cohorts. Three OUR patients (7.3%) developed postoperative febrile urinary tract infection compared with a single child (5.9%) undergoing RALUR (P=1.00). There was no significant difference in complication rate between the two groups (12.2% OUR versus 11.8% RALUR; P=1.00). A postoperative cystogram was performed in the majority of RALUR patients, with no persistent VUR detected, and one child (6.7%) was diagnosed with contralateral reflux. Reported VUR resolution rates following robot-assisted ureteral reimplantation are varied. In the present series, children undergoing RALUR following failed previous anti-reflux surgery, with complex anatomy, or UVJO experienced a shorter length of stay but had similar analgesic requirements to those undergoing open repair. Radiographic, clinical success rates and complication risk were comparable. This study had several limitations, aside from lack of randomization. Analgesic use was limited to an inpatient setting, and pain scores were not assessed. Not all children underwent a postoperative VCUG, so the true radiographic success rate is unknown. A larger patient cohort with longer follow-up is necessary to determine predictors of radiographic and clinical failure. Older children with a previous history of anti-reflux surgery were more likely to undergo RALUR. These children had success and complication rates comparable to younger patients following complex open extravesical reimplantation, which underscores the expanding role of robot-assisted lower urinary tract reconstructive surgery in the pediatric population.

Robot-assisted extravesical ureteral reimplantation: Outcomes and conclusions from 78 ureters

ObjectiveExtravesical robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (RALUR) is a popular alternative to open surgery. We report our experience with RALUR and evaluate clinical variables as predictors for failure. MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the records of patients who underwent RALUR by a single surgeon for treatment of primary vesicoureteral reflux. Clinical and demographic variables were determined. Clinical variables were compared with surgical outcomes using the Student two-tailed type 2 t test. ResultsFifty patients underwent a combined 78 extravesical RALURs. Median (range) age was 6.2 (1.9–18.0) years; median (range) preoperative reflux grade was 3 (0–5). Dysfunctional elimination syndrome (DES) was present in 32 (64%). Ten (20%) patients had prior deflux, and two (4%) had prior ureteroneocystostomy on the ipsilateral side. Postoperative cystogram was performed in 100% at a median (range) of 55 (27–133) days. Median (range) follow-up was 286 (27–2238) days. Febrile urinary tract infection occurred in five (10%), none of whom had reflux on initial follow-up postoperative cystogram. All five had a history of DES and were female. Six complications occurred in five (10%) patients, including ileus (2), ureteral obstruction (2), ureteral injury (1), and perinephric fluid collection (1). Transient urinary retention occurred in one. Five of 22 (22.7%) patients undergoing unilateral surgery had contralateral de novo reflux. Six of 78 ureters (7.7%) had persistent reflux postoperatively. Neither persistent nor de novo reflux was associated with any of the clinical variables assessed. ConclusionsRALUR is an effective and safe option for patients with primary vesicoureteral reflux requiring surgery.