Early experience of using transumbilical multi-stab laparoscopic pyeloplasty for infants younger than 3 months

Objective: Minimally invasive surgery is increasingly being adopted in pediatric urology practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility and the safety of transumbilical multi-stab laparoscopic pyeloplasty (TMLP) as a treatment for infants younger than 3 months with severe hydronephrosis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 63 infants younger than 3 months with severe hydronephrosis who underwent TMLP from June 2010 to March 2013. The operative indications included: 1) prenatal diagnosis of hydronephrosis with anteroposterior renal pelvic diameter greater than 3 cm and Society of Fetal Urology (SFU) Grade 4 hydronephrosis; 2) ipsilateral differential renal function being less than 40%. Patients were followed up with physical examinations, ultrasound and radionuclide scans. Results: The operations were successfully performed in all 63 patients. There was no conversion, no requirement of additional trocar placement and no intraoperative complication. The median age was 54 (47-87) days. The median operative time was 75 (53-118) minutes. The patients were followed up for 12 (6-36) months. The anastomoses were proved to be patent and the renal parenchymal thickness increased. The renal pelvic anteroposterior diameters were reduced and the renal functions were improved (p < 0.01). In addition, the scars were barely noticeable. Conclusions: TMLP for infants younger than 3 months with severe hydronephrosis is feasible, safe and minimally invasive. The cosmetic results are excellent. (C) 2014 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.