ABSTRACT
Because of the minimal invasiveness of the laparoscopic approach, we introduced the laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty in our treatment modalities for patients with primary UPJ obstruction. We report on our technique and the results after a median follow-up of more than 2 years. Between August 1997 and September 2002, 52 patients underwent a laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty at our institution. All patients had a symptomatic primary PJ obstruction. We prefer the transperitoneal route with laterocolic exposure of the kidney. After preparation and exposure of the ureter and the renal pelvis, we performed in each case the dismembered Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty with resection of the pelvis and reanastomosis between the ureter and renal pelvis. Intracorporeal suturing and knotting techniques were used exclusively. All procedures could be performed successfully. In no case was conversion to open surgery necessary. The mean operative time was 180 min. Crossing vessels were present in 57% of patients. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. The first patient had an anastomosis insufficiency, which required laparoscopic repair. The same patient failed in the follow-up. He developed a late recurrence of the stenosis and needed an open repair. In all other patients the obstruction was resolved or significantly improved. The long-term success rate is 98% with a follow-up of 25 months. Our results with laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasties compare favorably with those achieved by open pyeloplasties with less perioperative morbidity and discomfort. We do believe that laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty will be the method of choice in the treatment of UPJ obstruction.
