Extracorporeal Ureteric Stenting for Pediatric Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate a novel technique for ureteric stent insertion during dismembered pediatric laparoscopic pyeloplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following identification and dissection of the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) with the proximal part of ureter, the ureter is dismembered just proximal to the UPJ at the level of the renal pelvis, allowing use of the excess pelvic tissue for further manipulation of the ureter. Then the abdomen is desufflated and the ureter delivered to the skin level. The externalized ureter is then spatulated and the stent inserted in an antegrade fashion to the bladder. The first stitch for further laparoscopic anastomosis is applied to the lower part of the spatulated ureteric end and then following insufflations the ureter is returned to the abdomen. The laparoscopic anastomosis is completed in a routine fashion. RESULTS: Over the past 4 years, we have used this technique in 26 children (17 boys and 9 girls) with median age of 4 years (range, 2-18 years). Left pyeloplasty was performed in 16 and right pyeloplasty in the remaining 10 patients. The mean (range) time of insertion was 6 minutes (range, 4-7 minutes). All stents were correctly placed. In one patient, the stent dislodged to distal part of the ureter. No other intraoperative or postoperative complications related to our technique of stent insertion were observed. CONCLUSION: Our data show that extracorporeal antegrade ureteric stent insertion is an easy-to-learn and a safe and reliable technique for pediatric dismembered pyeloplasty. It obviates the problem of having the stent in the pelvis during dissection and the need for patient repositioning.

Use of BioGlue Surgical Adhesive in Hypospadias Repair.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of albumin glutaraldehyde tissue adhesive (BioGlue) in the surgical treatment of patients with hypospadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups of 20 patients each who underwent hypospadias repair were included in the study. In the first group we utilized BioGlue as an additional protective layer to the suture line of the neo-urethra, while patients in the second group were operated on utilizing a routine surgical technique. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between patients from the 2 groups in terms of surgical complications. Urethrocutaneous fistula was revealed in 4 (20%) patients after repair with BioGlue and in 3 (15%) patients from the control group (p = 0.686), suture line breakdown in 4 (20%) and in 1 (5%) patients (p = 0.478), meatal stenosis in 1 (5%) and in 1 (5%) patient (p = 1). Furthermore more patients in the BioGlue group (n = 12, 60%) demonstrated poor cosmetic results compared to the control group where most patients - 19 (95%) had acceptable cosmetic outcomes (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed no benefits of BioGlue use in hypospadias repair.

Laparoscopic single site surgery: initial experience and description of techniques in the pediatric population.

PURPOSE: Recently new approaches to laparoscopic surgery, named natural orifice transluminal endoscopy and laparoendoscopic single site surgery, have been proposed to improve the cosmesis and decrease the morbidity associated with multiple ports sites. Experience with laparoendoscopic single site surgery technique in pediatric urology is still limited. We present our initial results with this technique in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since laparoendoscopic single site surgery received Food and Drug Administration approval, 11 patients have undergone a total of 14 procedures at our department, including nephrectomy due to nonfunctioning kidneys in 4, removal of bilateral intra-abdominal gonads in 2, unilateral varicocelectomy in 4 and bilateral varicocelectomy in 1. In all patients a multi-channel single laparoscopic port inserted through a 2 cm skin incision was used to achieve access to the abdominal cavity. RESULTS: All patients underwent laparoendoscopic single site surgery without complications within a reasonable operative time. None required conversion to open or conventional laparoscopic surgery. All except 1 patient were discharged home on the day of surgery or the day after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial data show that laparoendoscopic single site surgery is an effective technique for various pediatric and adolescent urology indications. Further application of this procedure in a large patient group will show whether there is a place for laparoendoscopic single site surgery in the pediatric urology surgical armamentarium.