Pure robotic retrocaval ureter repair

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of pure robotic retrocaval ureter repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 33 year old female presented with right loin pain and obstruction on intravenous urography with the classical "fish-hook" appearance. She was counseled on the various methods of repair and elected to have a robot assisted repair. The following steps are performed during a pure robotic retrocaval ureter repair. The patient is placed in a modified flank position, pneumoperitoneum created and ports inserted. The colon is mobilized to expose the retroperitoneal structures: inferior vena cava, right gonadal vein, right ureter, and duodenum. The renal pelvis and ureter are mobilized and the renal pelvis transected. The ureter is transposed anterior to the inferior vena cava and a pyelopyelostomy is performed over a JJ stent. RESULTS: This patient was discharged on postoperative day 3. The catheter and drain tube were removed on day 1. Her JJ stent was removed at 6 weeks postoperatively. The postoperative intravenous urography at 3 months confirmed normal drainage of contrast medium. CONCLUSION: Pure robotic retrocaval ureter is a feasible procedure; however, there does not appear to be any great advantage over pure laparoscopy, apart from the ergonomic ease for the surgeon as well the simpler intracorporeal suturing.

Pattern of metastases in renal cell carcinoma: a single institution study.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are incidentally detected and can be potentially cured by surgery alone. In treating metastatic RCC, worthwhile survival rates are achieved in cases of low burden recurrences. This necessitates a rational follow up protocol, which picks up early recurrences and avoids costly surveillance for those with a favorable prognosis. AIMS: We studied the patterns of metastases occurring in patients operated for localized or locally advanced renal cell carcinoma in the Indian setting and try to evolve a suitable follow up protocol. SETTING AND DESIGN: Institution based, retrospective data. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Records of patients from January 1988 to December 2003, operated for initially localized RCC were reviewed. Follow up was performed using an established protocol. Occurrence of metastases and their patterns were studied. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Comparison of the different survival times was performed using the one-way analysis method. Multiple comparisons (post hoc test) were performed using the Bonferroni method. RESULT: Follow up was available on 209 patients. Mean survival was 43.75 months (SD +/- 28.72). Thirty-nine patients developed 59 metastases. Lungs were the commonest site of metastases (37%), followed by bone (22%), liver (19%) and brain (8%). Relapse and survival showed significant correlation with pathological stage (p CONCLUSIONS: Occurrence of metastases correlate with the pathological stage of the disease at primary presentation. Tailored, stage-based follow up protocols allow adequate surveillance for disease activity and progression without escalating the overall costs.