New technologies: robotic-assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty in adolescents. The first Italian experience.

Aim: The literature about pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty (RALDP) is poor and limited to few series. This article reports the initial pediatric experience comparing it with the major series.
Methods: Between January 2006 and January 2007 at Umberto Parini Hospital in Aosta three patients were treated for left RALDP by a single senior surgeon.
Results: Mean age of the patients was 16.1 years (range 14.9-17.0). Mean body mass index was 21.6 kg/m2 (range 18.7-26.9). All patients were treated for left RALDP. Mean operative time (OT) was 160 minutes (range 120-185). Blood loss was null in all procedures and no interventions were converted to open. Mean postoperative hospitalization was 6.3 days (range 5-8). No intra- or postoperative complications occurred.
Conclusions: This short series demonstrates that RALDP is feasible in adolescents as well and in a peripheral Centre high skilled in adult robotic urology. The OT is excellent in comparison with other series. A preliminary experience in adult robotic surgery and an initial collaboration with urologists for adults are strongly recommended.