Laparoscopic pyeloplasty in ureteropelvic junction obstruction: A single-center experience

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is to retrospectively evaluate the perioperative and post-operative outcomes of the initial laparoscopic pyeloplasties (LPs); we performed in our clinic in the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).
METHODS: The data of 23 patients who underwent LP with the diagnosis of UPJO between February 2016 and March 2020 in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. The charts of patients such as demographic data, presenting complaint, pre-operative imaging, operation time, presence of crossing aberrant vessel, post-operative complications, hemoglobin drop, length of drain and hospital stay, and success rates were evaluated.
RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 25.5±17.1 (4–63) years with a male predominance of 56.5%. Of the 23 patients, 22 had primary and one patient had secondary UPJO previously treated with retrograde endopyelotomy. The mean operative time, drain stay time, and hospital stay time were 214.8±43.1 (160–310) min, 2.8±1.0 (2–7) days, and 3.5±1.8 (2–9) days, respectively. Although no major operative or post-operative complications were seen in our series, 2 (8.7%) patients had minor operative complications and 4 (17.3%) patients had minor postoperative complications. The mean follow-up period of all patients followed for at least 3 months was 13.9±7.8 (3–34) and the surgical success rate was 95.7%.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Due to increased worldwide experience in laparoscopic surgery, the challenge on intracorporeal suturing of LP in initial cases is overcome in a short time. With a high success rate, low post-operative complication rate, and low hospital stay, our initial series results are consistent with high-volume studies in the literature.