ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The treatment of ureteropelvic junction has evolved considerably over the past 20 years, resulting in new surgical techniques, but traditional open surgery remains the gold standard treatment. Currently, less invasive techniques are used for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The purpose of our study is to compare the surgical and functional results between laparoscopic and open pyeloplasty performed at our department during the last 12 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 92 cases performed in a period of 12 years. Two groups were compared: 30 patients were treated with open surgery (OP) and 62 with a laparoscopic approach (LP). Demographics, clinical presentation, functionality of the affected kidney, presence of polar vessels, kidney stones, hospital stay, complications and functional results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 42 years. The most common clinical presentation was kidney or ureteral pain: 60% (OP) vs. 52% (LP). The right side was affected in 59%; presence of crossing vessels was 47% (OP) vs. 58% (LP); presence of kidney stones was 20% (OP) vs. 19% (LP), with an average hospital stay of 5.86 days (OP) vs. 3.36 days (LP) p <0.05. Post-operative complications were observed in 3 (OP) vs. 5 (LP) patients, with a success rate comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our department, we recommend LP as the standard treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction because of the equal success rate compared to OP and the benefits of a minimally invasive surgery.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Radical cystectomy in elderly patients is a controversial issue that has noticed an increase in importance overtime because of the lengthening average life span. Our objective was to determine if there were significant differences in the perioperative outcomes of patients over 70 years with bladder cancer treated with laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) compared to those of younger patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We selected 180 patients who underwent LRC in our department in the period between 2005-2012. We divided them into 2 groups: 57% <70 years and 43% >70 years, and we compared the different parameters such as: comorbidities, intraoperative and post-operative complications, TNM stage and overall survival. RESULTS: The group <70 years had less comorbidities when compared with the group >70 years. Heterotopic urinary diversion was the diversion of choice in the elderly patients (97.4%). Paralytic ileus and the worsening of renal function were the only complications with statistical differences between the groups. Mean hospital length of stay was not significantly different between the groups. Younger and older patients had similar pathological staging : pT1 or less: 26,2 vs. 18.2%, pT2: 19.4 vs. 16.9%, pT3 38.8 vs. 37.7% and pT4 15.6 vs. 17.2%. Kaplan-Meier curves did not show significant differences in survival. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical cystectomy in the elderly patient has similar rates of perioperative morbidity when compared with the younger patient and may be offered as a treatment option in selected elderly patients.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: We have performed laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) in our department since 2004. Our goal is to describe, step by step, the approach of kidney stones during transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty and the outcomes after the procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve patients with kidney stones treated by transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty were found. The hospital records with clinical features, supplementary tests, and imaging studies were reviewed for demographic, procedural, and efficacy data. RESULTS: Kidney stones were found in 12 of 62 patients (19%) who had undergone transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty. Eight cases were treated using a flexible cystoscope and a nitinol N-Circle basket; in the remaining four cases the stones were extracted using laparoscopic grasping instruments. We want to emphasize a case of horseshoe kidney associated with ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and a kidney stone in which the procedure was performed successfully. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty has now emerged as a standard approach to UPJ obstruction. Associated renal abnormalities or kidney stones add complexity to the procedure, however, as shown in our results, centers with experience in the laparoscopic approach of reconstructive urology make this technique feasible.
ABSTRACT
We present what is to our knowledge, the first case of laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation reported in the renal transplant. The ureteral stenosis is one of the most difficult renal transplant complications to deal with. With the development of the endourological approach, this treatment has become the first treatment option for these patients. The patient is a 28-year-old female who received a renal allograft from a cadaver donor in 2008. Ureteral stenosis was diagnosed. The laparoscopic approach seems to be a good option over the open approach, with the benefits related with laparoscopic surgery.
