Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty for Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in Infants

Purpose: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty and open pyeloplasty have comparable efficacy for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in pediatric patients. The role of laparoscopic pyeloplasty in infants is less well defined. We present our updated experience with laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children younger than 1 year. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all 29 infants treated with transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty for symptomatic and/or radiographic ureteropelvic junction obstruction from May 2005 to February 2012. Patients were followed with renal ultrasound at regular intervals. Treatment failure was defined as the inability to complete the intended procedure, persistent radiographic evidence of obstruction and/or the need for definitive adjunctive procedures. Results: Transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty was performed in 29 infants 2 to 11 months old (mean age 6.0 months) weighing 4.1 to 10.9 kg (mean +/- SD 7.9 +/- 1.6). Followup was available in all except 5 patients (median 13.9 months, IQR 7.7-23.8). Mean operative time was 245 +/- 44 minutes. All cases were completed laparoscopically. Three postoperative complications were reported, including ileus, superficial wound infection and pyelonephritis. Two patients had persistent symptomatic and/or radiographic evidence of obstruction, and required reoperative pyeloplasty. The overall success rate was 92%. Conclusions: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty in infants remains a technically challenging procedure limited to select centers. Our early experience revealed a success rate comparable to that of other treatment modalities with minimal morbidity.