Laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy with psoas hitch.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic extravesical ureteroneocystostomy is an infrequently described technique. Our aim is to describe five cases where we used the intracorporeal freehand suturing technique successfully for performing laparoscopic extravesical transperitoneal ureteral reimplantation with psoas hitch. We describe the preliminary results of these cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed this surgery in five female patients. Two patients had a low ureterovaginal fistula after total laparoscopic hysterectomy. The other three patients had undergone laparoscopic radical hysterectomy. RESULTS: The average surgical time was 220 minutes. The average blood loss was 150 mL. The average stay was 3 days, and the average time to starting oral intake was 12 hours. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. The urinary catheter was removed after 3 weeks and the double j stent after 6 weeks. Follow-up urography showed good clearance of the kidney and ureter. There was no reflux on the postoperative cystogram. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic extravesical ureteroneocystostomy with intracorporeal freehand suturing technique and psoas hitch is a feasible procedure in females for managing ureterovaginal fistulas after laparoscopic gynecologic surgeries. The patients need not be subjected to open surgery because this complication can be repaired laparoscopically, thus minimizing the morbidity.

Laparoscopic pelvic exenteration for advanced pelvic cancers: a review of 16 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate, in a series of 16 consecutive patients, the technique, feasibility and oncological safety of laparoscopic anterior exenteration for locally advanced pelvic cancers. STUDY DESIGN: Since August 2003, 16 patients with locally advanced pelvic cancer were considered. All patients were in a good general condition, in the age group of 50-60 years of which 12 had cervical carcinoma and 4 had bladder carcinoma. RESULTS: The median operative time was 180 min. The mean number of harvested pelvic iliac nodes was 14. All margins were tumor-free. The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days. Three patients had postoperative complications; two had subacute intestinal obstruction and one had ureteric leak. The median follow-up was 15 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our results have demonstrated the feasibility and oncological safety of performing anterior exenteration laparoscopically in advanced pelvic cancer patients with acceptable morbidity. Intermediate-term follow-up validates the adequacy of this procedure.