Robot-assisted transperitoneal reconstruction of a retrocaval ureter: A report of two cases.

A retrocaval ureter (RCU) is a rare cause of congenital ureteral obstruction that often requires surgical repair. We report two cases of RCU in adults treated with robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. In both cases, we performed robotic ureteroureterostomy with dissection of the entire length of the retrocaval portion of the right ureter without complications. In the second case, renal stone removal was simultaneously performed. The robot-assisted procedure we performed could be considered safe and feasible for the surgical repair of an RCU.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic ureteropyeloplasty of retrocaval ureter: Single surgeon experience and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Retrocaval ureter (RCU) is a rare congenital abnormality, secondary to anomalous development of inferior vena cava (IVC) presenting as ipsilateral obstruction needing surgical intervention. The aim of this article is to present surgical techniques and outcome of transperitoneal laparoscopic ureteropyeloplasty in patients with RCU treated by a single surgeon at a tertiary care center and with review of literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, institutional review board approved chart review of patients who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic ureteropyeloplasty for RCU at our unit between January 2010 and December 2020. A total of 10 patients were identified. Preoperative evaluation involved a computed tomography-intravenous urography in addition to the conventional evaluation. All the patients underwent dismembered transperitoneal laparoscopic ureteropyeloplasty over a Double J stent. Data analyzed included the demographic profile, operative time difficulty if any, postoperative, intraoperative complications and functional outcome. RESULTS: All cases were completed laparoscopically and no open conversion was required. Average operating time was 96.6 minutes ± 8.16. Average blood loss was 71 ± 14.49 mL with an analgesia requirement of 115 ± 33.74 mg. One patient developed postoperative urinary leak and responded to percutaneous nephrostomy drainage. Patients were followed up for 3 to 12 months with a serial ultrasound and a follow-up diethylene-triamine-penta-acetic acid renal scan at 3 months to rule out any anastomotic site obstruction. CONCLUSION: Transperitoneal laparoscopic ureteropyeloplasty for RCU was associated with minimal morbidity and good outcomes.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retroperitoneal laparoscopy in treatment of retrocaval ureter with right renal and ureteral calculi: a case report.

Retrocaval ureter is a rare disease associated with abnormal embryonic development. Here, we describe a patient who exhibited retrocaval ureter complicated by renal and ureteral calculi, which were treated by percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with retroperitoneal laparoscopy. A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of intermittent back pain that had been present for more than 10 years. During hospitalization, he was diagnosed with retrocaval ureter, right renal calculi, and right ureteral calculi with right hydronephrosis; he underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. After the operation, his condition was stable and he exhibited good recovery. Our findings in this case suggest that percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with retroperitoneal laparoscopy is a suitable option for the treatment of retrocaval ureter with renal and ureteral calculi.

Ureter circuncaval ­ diagnóstico pela tomografia computadorizada: relato de caso / Circuncaval ureter - diagnosis by computed tomography: case report

Contexto: O ureter circuncaval, também conhecido como pré-ureter ou ureter retrocaval, é uma rara anomalia congênita com a qual os pacientes raramente relatam sintomas até a terceira ou quarta décadas de vida. A anomalia envolve predominantemente o ureter direito. Um ureter retrocaval à esquerda é visto apenas com persistência da veia cardinal esquerda, com situs inversus completo ou duplicação da veia cava inferior. A compressão do ureter entre a veia cava inferior e as vértebras resulta em hidronefrose e ureteronefrose progressiva. Descrição do caso: Paciente do sexo masculino, 31 anos de idade, com dor lombar recorrente à direita há dois anos. Apresenta exame físico sem alterações evidentes, inclusive testes específicos para a coluna vertebral. Exame de tomografia computadorizada da coluna lombar realizada há 18 meses, sem alterações significativas. Discussão: O ureter circuncaval, na maioria dos casos, é assintomático. Os sintomas dependem do grau de obstrução ureteral ou da presença de complicações e consistem em dor no flanco ­ ocasionalmente a dor intermitente é a primeira queixa ­, infecções recorrentes do trato urinário, hematúria macroscópica ou microscópica. Deve ser levado em conta que o ureter retrocaval pode coexistir com outras anomalias congênitas ­ 20% dos pacientes com ureter retrocaval apresentam anomalias congênitas concomitantes. O procedimento cirúrgico geralmente consiste na divisão ureteral, ressecção do ureter estenótico e redundante com realocação e reanastomose ureteroureteral ou ureteropélvica. Conclusão: Relatamos um caso de ureter circuncaval que é uma rara anomalia congênita predominantemente

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal approach for retrocaval ureter in children.

PURPOSE: Retrocaval ureter (RCU) is a rare congenital anomaly and published data on pediatric laparoscopic management are poor. The aim of this study was to report our experience of retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach for management of RCU in children. METHODS: A retrospective review of data from patients treated for RCU between 2002 and 2018 in our institution was performed. All patients were positioned in a flank position and underwent a three-port (5-mm optical trocar and two 3-mm trocars) laparoscopic retroperitoneal ureteroureterostomy. Anastomosis was made by 6/0 absorbable sutures. A JJ stent was always inserted. RESULTS: Five patients with a median age of 94 months (5-152) were operated on and followed up for a median time of 103 months (46-201). Median operating time was 200 min (160-270). No conversion and no transfusion occurred. Median hospital stay was 2 days (1-4). Ureteral stent was removed after 52 days (47-82). Complications included pyelonephretis (N = 1). In all cases, hydronephrosis decreased postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach for RCU is safe and effective in children. Our video demonstrates different patients with specific surgical details to show how to manage these children. The global vision of the upper tract by laparoscopy leads to optimal management of these children even if the anomaly was not detected preoperatively.

Type II retrocaval ureter causing hydronephrosis in a cat: case report / Ureter retrocava tipo II causando hidronefrose em um gato: relato de caso

Retrocaval ureter (RU) is an abnormal embryonic development of the caudal vena cava (CVC) that leads the ureter to be entrapped dorsal to the CVC. In most cases there is no clinical impact; however, it can cause hydronephrosis. We report a rare case of type II symptomatic retrocaval ureter in a feline treated with nephroureterectomy. A 4-year-old, intact male, mixed breed cat was submitted to abdominal ultrasound and severe right hydronephrosis was diagnosed, with no signs of obstruction. We performed an exploratory celiotomy, in which a displacement of the right ureter dorsal to the CVC was observed. The animal was treated with ureteronephrectomy and recovered well. No intraluminal cause was found, and a urethral catheter could be easily inserted across the ureter length. The real clinical relevance of the RU is unknown, since it is a common find in post-mortem examination without kidney impact and, when significant, is often associated to other causes of ureteral obstructions, such as calculi and strictures. Additionally, in humans, type II RU seldom develops obstruction and hydronephrosis. In our case, due to absence of other causes of obstruction, probably mechanical compression of the CVC against the psoas muscle caused the hydronephrosis.(AU)

O ureter retrocava (UR) é originado por uma falha na formação embriológica da veia cava caudal (VCC), que leva ao aprisionamento do ureter dorsal à VCC. Na maioria dos casos, não há impacto clínico; entretanto, essa anomalia pode causar hidronefrose. Relata-se um raro caso de UR tipo II sintomático em um felino, tratado com nefroureterectomia. O referido animal, sem raça definida, macho intacto de quatro anos de idade, foi submetido à ultrassonografia abdominal, que revelou acentuada hidronefrose direita, sem sinais de obstrução. Realizou-se celiotomia exploratória, na qual foi possível observar o ureter direito dorsal à VCC. O animal foi tratado com nefroureterectomia e se recuperou satisfatoriamente. Nenhuma causa intraluminal foi encontrada e um cateter uretral pôde ser facilmente inserido por todo o comprimento do ureter. A real relevância clínica do UR é desconhecida, visto que é um achado comum em exames post mortem, sem impacto aos rins e, quando significante, frequentemente está associado a outras causas de obstrução ureteral, como cálculos e estenoses. Adicionalmente, em humanos, o UR tipo II raramente desenvolve obstrução e hidronefrose. Neste caso, devido à ausência de outros motivos de obstrução, acredita-se que a compressão mecânica da VCC contra o músculo psoas foi a causa da hidronefrose.(AU)

Transperitoneal laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy with excision of the compressed ureter for retrocaval ureter and review of literature.

Purpose: We present surgical techniques and operative results of laparoscopic reconstruction for patients with retrocaval ureter (RCU) and review similar papers. Materials and Methods: Ten patients with RCU were enrolled in this study from April 2005 to January 2017. The mean age of 7 males and 3 females was 40.5 years old. The chief complaint was flank pain in 6 patients; the remaining patients were detected incidentally. All patients showed hydronephrosis and typical S-shaped deformity of the ureter on imaging studies. Five patients showed obstructed patterns on the renal scans. Two surgeons performed laparoscopic ureteroureterostomies with transperitoneal approaches including excision of the compressed ureter. Double-J ureteral stents were inserted intraoperatively. The operative and follow-up results were checked and compared with published papers. Results: All laparoscopic reconstructions were successfully completed without conversion to open surgery. The mean operative time was 199.6 minutes. The estimated blood loss was 154.4 mL. No operative complications were encountered. There were no obstruction and symptom after the mean follow-up of 40.7 months. We found 7 papers from PubMed, which had more than five cases of laparoscopic reconstruction of RCU. We reviewed and summarized the clinical and operative parameters. Conclusions: Our results show that transperitoneal laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy with excision of the compressed ureter is a safe and effective treatment for RCU. Data from published papers and ours summarize clinical parameters of RCU, and suggest that the laparoscopic reconstruction can be considered as the standard treatment for it.

Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted repair of retrocaval ureter in children: a multi-institutional comparative study with open repair.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study aimed to report a multi-institutional experience with laparoscopic and robotic-assisted repair of retrocaval ureter in children and to compare outcome of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with open repair. METHODS: The records of all children, who underwent MIS and open repair of retrocaval ureters in six international pediatric urology units over a 5-year period, were retrospectively collected. Data were grouped according to the operative approach: a laparoscopic group (G1) included five patients, a robotic-assisted group (G2) included four patients, and an open group (G3) included three patients. The groups were compared in regard to operative and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: At follow-up, all patients (one G1 patient after redo-surgery) reported complete resolution of symptoms and radiologic improvement of hydronephrosis and obstruction. In regard to postoperative complications, one G1 patient developed stenosis of anastomosis and needed re-operation with no further recurrence (IIIb Clavien). G2 reported the lowest average operative time (135 min) compared to G1 (178.3 min) and G3 (210 min). MIS (G1-G2) reported a significantly better postoperative outcome compared to open repair (G3) in terms of analgesic requirements, hospitalization, and cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS: The study outcomes suggest that MIS should be the first choice for retrocaval ureter because of the minimal invasiveness and the better cosmetic outcome compared to open surgery. Furthermore, our results showed that robotic-assisted reconstruction was technically easier, safer, and quicker compared to laparoscopic repair, and for these reasons, it should be preferentially adopted, when available.

[Ureteral Cancer Developing in Retrocaval Ureter : A Case Report].

Ureteral cancer in the retrocaval ureter is rare. We herein report a patient with this condition laparoscopically treated. A 69-year-old man was referred to us because of right ureteral cancer diagnosed during ureteroscopic surgery for a ureteral calculus. Histological diagnosis of the ureteroscopically biopsied material was non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinoma, low grade (G2). Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a retrocaval ureter : a double J stent placed during ureteroscopy assisted the diagnosis. The patient underwent retroperitoneoscopic complete nephroureterectomy on the right side. Sufficient separation of the right ureter and the inferior vena cava under retroperitoneoscopic procedures facilitated en bloc extirpation of the kidney and ureter with a minimal lower abdominal incision. The surgical procedures for ureteral cancer in the retrocaval ureter, should be preoperatively considered with care.

[Laparoscopic antevasal uretero-ureteral anastomosis for treating retrocaval ureter].

The article presents a case of laparoscopic antevasal correction of the retrocaval ureter in a 16 year old patient, who was admitted to the hospital with complaints of aching pain in the right lower back. His history was noteworthy of early age onset of intermittent fever accompanied by abdominal and lumbar pain. Blood count and urinalysis were within normal limits, and he was treated symptomatically. However, no renal ultrasound scan was done. Intravenous urography and MSCT showed a retrocaval ureter. The diagnosis was confirmed by retrograde ureteropyelography. With the patient placed in the lateral position, the right ureter was mobilized by transperitoneal access, transected and mobilized from under the inferior vena cava. Anterior uretero-ureteral anastomosis on the stent was performed, drainage was established. The operating time was 90 minutes, blood loss was 60 ml. There were no postoperative complications. Drainage was removed 2 days after surgery and the patient was discharged for outpatient treatment. The stent was removed 6 weeks postoperatively. Control urography showed normal function of both kidneys, no urodynamic abnormality of the upper urinary tract was identified.

Uréter retrocavo e infección recurrente de vías urinarias: A propósito de un caso / Retrocaval Ureter and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection: Case Report

El uréter retrocavo es una anomalía poco frecuente de etiología congénita, la cual causa sintomatología en pacientes adultos; se caracteriza por hidronefrosis en diferentes grados, además de otras patologías relacionadas con lesión renal. El abordaje terapéutico es principalmente quirúrgico y se aplicará de acuerdo con el grado de disfunción renal. A continuación se presenta el caso de una mujer de 27 años de edad, a quien se le practicó un estudio imaginológico por infección recurrente de vías urinarias que no respondió a la farmacoterapia habitual.

Retrocaval ureter is a rare anomaly of congenital etiology, which causes symptoms in adults and is characterized by hydronephrosis in different degrees, in addition to other diseases related to renal injury. The therapeutic approach is mainly surgical and decided according to degree of related renal dysfunction. We present a case of a woman aged 27 who is sent to the radiology service of Hospital San Rafael Tunja for an imaging study after refractory urinary tract infection that did not respond to standard drug therapy

Retrocaval ureter and contra lateral renal agenesis – a case report and review of literature

ABSTRACT Associated congenital anomalies are seen in 21% of retrocaval ureter patients; among them, associated contralateral renal agenesis is a very rare entity. We report one such case of right circumcaval ureter with left renal agenesis, diagnosed after febrile UTI. Surgical correction with uretero-ureterostomy was successful. In literature very few such cases are reported and only one case with renal failure was reported. Unilateral renal agenesis cases complicated by associated such anomalies need definitive management and lifelong clinical monitoring to diagnose and prevent chronic kidney disease.

Retroperitoneoscopic ureteroplasty for retrocaval ureter: report of nine cases and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the experience of retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureteroplasty for nine cases of retrocaval ureter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six males and three females were referred with a diagnosis of retrocaval ureter. A retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach was taken in all patients, who were diagnosed by intravenous pyelography (IVP), computed tomography urography and retrograde pyelography. After the dilated proximal ureter was mobilized, the ureter was transected just above the retrocaval segment, which was repositioned to the anterior of the vena cava. The retrocaval segment was observed and evaluated to enable a decision as to whether or not to reserve. Then, tension-free, water-tight anastomosis was performed with absorbable sutures using intracorporeal suturing techniques over a double-J stent, which was laparoscopically inserted in an antegrade manner. The stent was removed 4-6 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The ureteroplasty was accomplished in all cases. The retrocaval segment of the ureter was reserved with a grossly normal appearance in six cases; the abnormal retrocaval segment was excised in the three other cases. The mean operative duration was 103 min (range 89-110 min) and the mean hospital stay was 7 days (range 6-9 days). No serious complications occurred. Follow-up by ultrasonography and IVP, lasting 6 months to 4 years, revealed considerable improvement in hydronephrosis and upper ureteral dilatation. No ureteral stenosis was found at the anastomotic site. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneoscopic ureteroplasty should be recommended as the first line treatment for retrocaval ureter because of its advantages of minimal invasion and shorter hospital stay than open surgery. Skilled laparoscopic anastomosis with a retroperitoneal approach can shorten the operative duration.

Right sided double inferior vena cava with obstructed retrocaval ureter: Managed with single incision multiple port laparoscopic technique using "Santosh Postgraduate Institute tacking ureteric fixation technique".

Right double inferior vena cava with obstructed retrocaval ureter is an extremely rare anomaly with only a few reported cases in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report describing ureteric repair by use of a single-incision laparoscopic technique. In addition, this report addresses the underlying surgical challenges of this repair and provides a brief review of the embryology of this anomaly. The "Santosh Postgraduate Institute ureteric tacking fixation technique" provides ease of end-to-end uretero-ureteric anastomosis in a single-incision laparoscopic surgery.

[Transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy for retrocaval ureter].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy procedure in the treatment of patients with retrocaval ureter. METHODS: From May 2004 to December 2012, 18 patients including 12 male and 6 female patients were operated for retrocaval ureter, the average age was (37 ± 10) years (range 17-55 years). Eight patients underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy (transperitoneal laparoscopic group), and the other 10 patients' laparoscopic procedure were performed via retroperitoneal approach(retroperitoneal laparoscopic group). These patients' records were retrospectively analyzed for perioperative characteristics, complications and follow-up results. A two-tailed Student's t-test was used to compare perioperative data between the two groups. RESULTS: Technical success was acquired in all 18 laparoscopic procedures. Mean operative time of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopic group was (85 ± 20) minutes (60-130 minutes) and (98 ± 30) minutes (70-180 minutes) , respectively. There was no difference in operation time between the two groups (t = 1.03, P > 0.05). The blood loss was less than 50 ml in all the patients. Comparison of anal exhaust time between the two groups showed no statistic difference (t = 0.16, P > 0.05). No perioperative complication was observed. Intravenous pyelography or CT urography 3 months after the operation revealed a widely patent anastomosis with considerable improvement in hydronephrosis in all patients. There was no recurrence at a mean follow up of (40 ± 24) months (range 12-115 months). CONCLUSION: Both transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy are effective and minimally invasive surgical alternative for the management of retrocaval ureter.

Single-incision multiport laparoendoscopic technique to repair retrocaval ureter using the Santosh PGI ureteric tacking fixation technique.

INTRODUCTION: A retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital anomaly associated with upper urinary tract obstruction. It can cause varying degrees of ureteral obstruction, and surgical intervention is often necessary. Here, we present a case of a retrocaval ureter repaired with the single-incision multiport laparoendoscopic technique. We used a new fixation technique, Santosh PGI (Postgraduate Institute) ureteric tacking fixation technique, on both ureteric ends for easy ureteroureteric anastomosis. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A 45-year-old man presented with right loin pain. CT urography showed a retrocaval ureter. Because the patient was symptomatic, he underwent retrocaval ureter repair by the single-incision multiport laparoendoscopic technique. A double-J stent was placed in the right ureter with the patient in the lithotomy position. Then, the patient was placed in a modified flank position. After pneumoperitoneum was created, a 2.5-cm incision was made in the umbilicus, and three conventional laparoscopic ports were inserted. The narrow retrocaval segment of ureter was resected, and both spatulated ureteric ends were fixed using the Santosh PGI ureteric tacking fixation technique, and ureteroureteral anastamosis was done. The duration of the procedure was 105 min. The patient was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 3. Follow-up intravenous pyelography at 3 months showed normal drainage. DISCUSSION: The single-incision multiport laparoendoscopic technique is feasible and cost effective, has good cosmesis, and has minimal morbidity when performed by an expert laparoscopic surgeon. The Santosh PGI ureteric tacking fixation technique enabled us to suture easily and rapidly within the limited range of motion allowed by conventional laparoscopic instruments in SILS.