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Summary Background Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) has been recently adopted in pediatric minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in order to improve intra-operative visualization of anatomic structures and facilitate surgery. Objective This study aimed to report our preliminary experience using ICG technology in pediatric urology using laparoscopy and robotics. Study design ICG technology was adopted in 57 laparoscopic or robotic urological procedures performed in our unit over a 24-month period: 41 (38 laparoscopic - 3 robotic) left varicocele repairs with intra-operative lymphography and 16 renal procedures (12 laparoscopic - 4 robotic) including 9 partial nephrectomies, 3 nephrectomies and 4 renal cyst deroofings. Results The ICG solution was injected intravenously in renal procedures or into the testis body in case of varicocele repair. Regarding the timing of the administration, the ICG injection was performed intra-operatively in all cases and allowed the visualization of the anatomic structures in a matter of 30–60 s. The dosage of ICG was 0.3 mg/mL/kg in all indications. All procedures were completed laparoscopically or robotically without conversions. No adverse and allergic reactions to ICG and other complications occurred postoperatively. Discussion This paper describes for the first time in pediatric urology that ICG-guided NIRF imaging may be helpful in laparoscopic and robotic procedures. In case of varicocele repair, ICG-enhanced fluorescence allowed to perform a lymphatic-sparing procedure and avoid the risk of postoperative hydrocele. In case of partial nephrectomy, ICG-guided NIRF was helpful to visualize the vascularization of the non-functioning moiety, identify the dissection plane between the two moieties (Fig. 1) and check the perfusion of the residual parenchyma after resection of the non-functioning pole. In case of renal cyst deroofing, ICG-guided NIRF aided to identify the avascular cyst dome and to guide its resection. No real benefits of using ICG-enhanced fluorescence were observed during nephrectomy. Conclusion Our preliminary experience confirmed the safety and efficacy of ICG technology in pediatric urology and highlighted its potential advantages as adjunctive surgical technology in patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic urological procedures. Use of NIRF was also cost-effective as no added costs were required except for the ICG dye (cost 40 eur per bottle). The most common and useful applications in pediatric urology included varicocele repair, partial nephrectomy ad renal cyst deroofing. The main limitation is the specific equipment needed in laparoscopy, that is not available in all centers whereas the robot is equipped with the Firefly® software for NIRF.

Summary Introduction To determine the outcome of distal hypospadias repairs performed using bipolar diathermy (BD) for all the dissection. Methods Retrospective review of 310 patients undergoing distal hypospadias (264 subcoronal/distal penile and 46 coronal/glanular) over a 11-year period. Median age at surgery was 2.0 years (range 9 months–15 years). Caudal anesthesia was performed in all patients. All children underwent an in situ tubularization of the urethral plate, which was combined with midline incision of the plate in 30 (10%). Preputial reconstruction was performed in 303 (98%) patients. BD forceps was used for coagulation and for all the dissection including skin incision, elevation of glans wings, separation of the corpus spongiosum from the corpora cavernosa, and urethral plate incision, when deemed appropriate. The authors assessed surgical complications and cosmetic results. The latter using the hypospadias objective score (HOSE), with a score ≥ 14 considered as acceptable. Results The average operative time was 70 min. There was no postoperative bleeding or hematomas that required surgical intervention. There were no wound infections or necrosis. Complications occurred in 37 patients (11.9%). Urethral fistula formation was the commonest (n = 18). Postoperative persistent preputial swelling occurred in 3.5% of cases. Two hundred twelve patients (90.6%) had a HOSE score ≥ 14, and no patient required revision surgery for skin problems after a median follow-up of 8.1 (range 1.2–13.1) years. Discussion The study is limited by its retrospective nature and by the fact that a number of other pre-operative, intra-operative, and postoperative variables can affect outcome. Conclusions Bipolar diathermy can be safely used for distal hypospadias repairs. It allowed careful control of intra-operative bleeding and also clear visualization of tissue planes. Complication rate overall compares favorably with the literature, and cosmetic results were satisfactory. Table . Results of hypospadias repairs using the bipolar diathermy technique All patients (n = 310) % Fully healed 273 88.1 Urethral fistula 18 6 Partial or total urethroplasty dehiscence 6 2 Complete dehiscence 7 2.2 Preputial fistula 2 0.6 Severe urethral meatal stenosis 2 0.6 Persistent chordee 2 0.6

Summary Objective In principle, the prepuce can be reconstructed during hypospadias repair, but the procedure has not gained wide acceptance and preputial reconstruction (PR) is surrounded by several controversies. Material and methods A review is provided of the technique for PR, how PR combines with the other steps of hypospadias repair, the risks of complications related to the urethroplasty and specific to PR, and the results of PR with particular regard to the relevance for the patient and his family. Results PR can be important for patients requiring hypospadias repair and their parents. It can be performed in almost all patients with distal hypospadias except perhaps those with the most asymmetrical prepuces or severe ventral skin deficiency. PR does not seem to increase urethroplasty complications, but combination of PR with tubularisation of the urethral plate urethroplasty seems to offer the best chance of success. Specific complications occur in around 8% of patients and include partial or complete dehiscence of the prepuce and secondary phimosis. To prevent the latter, the reconstructed prepuce should be easily retractile at the end of surgery. Technical modifications can help to achieve this goal. Cosmetically, reconstructed prepuces are not fully normal, but the abnormality could be less important for a patient and his parents that the complete absence of the prepuce. Conclusion On the basis of the evidence summarised above, an algorithm for PR in patients with distal hypospadias is proposed. PR can be offered to the vast majority of distal hypospadias patients, although some modification of the technique for hypospadias repair can be required. Retractility of the reconstructed prepuce at the end of surgery seems paramount for final success.