Head-to-Head Comparison of Modified Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty and Robot-Assisted Pyeloplasty for Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in China

Objective: To compare the outcomes of modified laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) and robot-assisted pyeloplasty (RLP) for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in China patients. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent modified LP and RLP using a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach at 2 different medical institutions between October 2009 and November 2017. Results: Seventy-six patients underwent modified LP and 140 patients underwent RLP. No open conversion occurred. The mean operative time of RLP was shorter than that of modified LP (p = 0.042). For UPJO concomitant with renal calculi, there was no difference in operative time between 2 groups (p = 0.656). With RLP, the operative time for UPJO concomitant with horseshoe was shorter (p = 0.011). In terms of complication rate, there was no significant difference between 2 groups (p = 0.596). The postoperative hospital stay for modified LP was shorter than that for RLP (p < 0.05). The mean follow-up time for modified LP and RLP was 31.79 months and 10.85 months respectively (p < 0.05). The success rate was 96.05 and 97.86% for modified LP and RLP, respectively (p = 0.736). Conclusions: Modified LP and RLP are safe and efficient treatment for UPJO with similar success rates.