Renal function recovery after laparosocopic pyeloplasty.

INTRODUCTION: To observe the renal function recovery measured by diuretic renography in short and medium follow-up of patients with transperitoneal Anderson-Hynes laparoscopic pyeloplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: WE PERFORMED A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW FROM OUR SERIES OF LAPAROSCOPIC PYELOPLASTIES, AND WE APPLIED THE FOLLOWING SELECTION CRITERIA: 1) to have at least two MAG3 diuretic renography during the follow-up, performed with a gap of 4-6 months between them; 2) to have at least one year follow-up. Fulfilling these criteria, we have selected 35 patents of 62. RESULTS: During follow-up, statistically significant improvement comparing with the pre-surgical value has been observed in diuretic renography in the operated kidney in all selected patients during the time of follow up in terms of: functional uptake ratio (FUR), furosemide excretion and total excretion. No statistically significant differences were found in excretion time and spontaneous excretion parameters. By dividing patients in two age groups <40 years and >40 years we found no statistically significant differences between them in relation to the improvement of the FUR. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty not only corrects the UPJO, it also may recover renal function demonstrated after one year follow up with diuretic renography. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty should be procedure of choice even in those patients with poor renal function at diagnosis, whenever there are chances of recovering renal function, regardless patients age.

Approach to kidney stones associated with ureteropelvic junction obstruction during laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

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.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty in the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty was first described by Schuessler. During the last decade, this technique has been developed in order to achieve the same results as open surgery, with lower rates of morbidity and complications. In this study we review our experience using laparoscopic pyeloplasty as the gold standard for the treatment of the ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 62 laparoscopic pyeloplasties carried out at our center. In the last 2 years we used 3 mm and 5 mm ports in order to achieve better cosmetics results. Demographic data is described and the functionality of the affected kidney and surgical data, among others were analyzed statistically. In the case of bilateral statistical tests were considered significant as those with p values <0.05. RESULTS: The most frequent reason for consultation was ureteral pain. Patients mean age was 40 years and 94% of them had preoperative renogram showing a full or partial obstructive pattern. The right side was affected in 61% of cases and the left in the remaining 39%. The presence of stones was observed in 12 patients and crossing vessels in 58% of cases. The average stay was 3.72 days. Post-surgery complications were observed in two patients. The operative time was 178 minutes. Mean follow-up was 45 months and a success was achieved in 91%. CONCLUSIONS: The transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty has become the gold standard for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction stenosis in our center because of high success rate, shorter postoperative stay, and low intra and postoperative complications.

Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation in a renal transplant.

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.