Retroperitoneoscopic Anderson–Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty in infants and children: a 60-case report

To present a new technique of retroperitoneoscopic Anderson–Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty (AHDP) in infants and children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) based on our clinical experience.

From March 2003 to February 2007, retroperitoneoscopic AHDP was performed in 60 (44 boys and 16 girls) UPJO infants and children with a three-port lateral retroperitoneal approach. The retroperitoneal space was entered via a 1-cm longitudinal incision beneath the 12th rib and further developed by a glove balloon. Video-retroperitoneoscopy was undertaken with a 5-mm laparoscope between the mid axillary line and 1 cm away from the superior border of iliac crest. Dismembered pyeloplasty was carried out with the Anderson–Hynes anastomosis where 5-0 or 6-0 vicryl sutures were over a double-J ureteric stent. Anastomosis was completed with freehand intracorporeal suture techniques. Follow-up studies were conducted by intravenous urography and renal ultrasonography.

Among the 60 patients (62 sides) with retroperitoneoscopic AHDP, only the first two cases were converted to open surgery due to difficulties in developing the retroperitoneal space, and the remaining cases succeeded. The average operative time was 70 ± 12.6 min (ranging from 55 to 130 min), the average estimated blood loss was 10 ± 2.2 ml (ranging from 5 to 20 ml), and the average postoperative hospital stay was 7 ± 1.3 days (ranging from 3 to 15 days). Aberrant artery vessel was intraoperatively observed in seven patients. Postoperative urinary leakage occurred in two patients, but spontaneously disappeared on the 6th and 11th days after the surgery, respectively; and one of them underwent open surgery for recurrent UPJO 8 months later. During an average follow-up period of 24 months, we performed radiographic assessment by intravenous urography and found that all the cases showed good results except the patient who underwent open surgery later.

Our experience with retroperitoneoscopic AHDP demonstrates that this technique is safe, effective and time saving for treating UPJO in infants and children.