Robot-assisted repair of ureterosciatic hernia with mesh

Ureterosciatic hernias (USH) are rare conditions, reported in less than 100 patients worldwide. Robot-assisted surgical management has been reported only twice in the available literature. We present the first report of robot-assisted reduction and repair of an USH using mesh interposition. A 68 year old female presented with left flank pain for the past three weeks. A computed topography urogram revealed an USH. She began having flank pain with nausea and vomiting during the diuresis portion of the study. She was admitted, and a left percutaneous nephrostomy tube was placed. A left retrograde pyelogram confirmed a pathognomonic “curlicue” distal ureter. She underwent robot-assisted repair of the USH, during which time the left ureter was mobilized and traced down to the point of herniation. After reduction, a 4 × 4cm piece of bioavailable mesh was placed over the defect, and fibrin sealant coated on the mesh. A ureteral stent was placed in retrograde fashion. Total blood loss was 25 mL, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day one. Her nephrostomy tube was removed prior to discharge, and the stent removed at 8 weeks postoperatively. This represents the first reported case of robotic repair of an ureterosciatic hernia with mesh.