Our experience with management of congenital urological pathologies in adulthood: What pediatric urologists should know and adult urologists adopt in pediatric practice experience.

Purpose: To summarize our experience in the management of congenital anomalies in the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) in adults. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all adult patients who underwent primary surgical intervention for CAKUT between 1998 and 2021. Results: The study included 102 patients with a median age of 25 (interquartile range, 23-36.5). Of these, 85 (83.3%) patients reported normal prenatal ultrasound, and the remaining 17 (16.7%) patients were diagnosed with antenatal hydronephrosis. These patients were followed-up conservatively postnatally and were discharged from follow-up because of the absence of indications for surgical intervention or because they decided to leave medical care. All studied adult patients presented with the following pathologies: 67 ureteropelvic junction obstructions, 14 ectopic ureters, 9 ureteroceles, and 6 primary obstructive megaureters, and the remaining 6 patients were diagnosed with vesicoureteral reflux. Forty-three percent of the patients had poorly functioning moieties associated with ectopic ureters or ureteroceles. Notably, 67% of patients underwent pyeloplasty, 9% underwent endoscopic puncture of ureterocele, 3% underwent ureteral reimplantation, 6% underwent endoscopic correction of reflux, 7% underwent partial nephrectomy of non-functioning moiety, and the remaining 9% underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy. The median follow-up period after surgery was 33 months (interquartile range, 12-54). Post-operative complications occurred in 5 patients (Clavien-Dindo 1-2). Conclusions: Patients with CAKUT present clinical symptoms later in life. Parents of patients diagnosed during fetal screening and treated conservatively should be aware of this possibility, and children should be appropriately counseled when they enter adolescence. Similar surgical skills and operative techniques used in the pediatric population may be applied to adults.

Laparoscopic and Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Reimplantation for Lower Ureter Pathology. A Multi-institutional Comparative Study in 1343 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and obstructive megaureter (OM) utilizing various laparoscopic and robot-assisted approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all pediatric laparoscopic and robot-assisted cases for lower ureter pathology was performed between 2016-2022 in 13 academic centers worldwide. Five surgical approaches were assessed: LEUR, LVCUR, LDECUR, RALUR, and RADECUR. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred forty-three patients (490 boys and 853 girls) with a median age of 30 months (IQR 12-63) were treated at 13 centers. Nine hundred and eight patients (68%) underwent reimplantation due to VUR (unilateral in 818 and bilateral in 90 patients). Four hundred thirty-five (32%) had a surgery due to ureterovesical junction (UVJ) obstruction. Mean length of follow-up was 14 months (IQR 8-33). Median operative time was 202 minutes (IQR 142-220) in the robotic arm compared to 240 minutes (IQR 160-267) in the laparoscopic (P = .45). Intracorporeal excisional tapering was performed in 118 (8%) of the patients. Six patients in the OM group required additional surgery due to progressive obstruction. In the VUR group, 84% underwent voiding cystourethrography postoperatively. 5.6% showed residual reflux. Grade 1-2 Clavien-Dindo complications occurred in 10 patients (0.7%) and 6 (0.4%) in the laparoscopic and robotic arm, respectively. Grade 3 complications occurred in 17 (1.2%) and 8 (0.5%) in both arms, respectively. Surgical success was achieved in 96% of patients. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic approaches are simple, safe, and effective for treating all grades of VUR and OM. Robot-assisted approach is beneficial in terms of operative time, intracorporeal suturing, and lower complications rate.

Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Challenging Cases of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in the Pediatric Population: A Multicenter Review.

Purpose: To report a multi-institutional international experience in performing robotic pyeloplasty for complicated cases of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in the pediatric population and assess feasibility and outcomes. Materials and Methods: Retrospective chart review of all pediatric patients who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) for UPJO in challenging cases between 2013 and 2021 was included. Demographics, perioperative surgical data, complications, and results are described. Challenging cases were defined as bilateral UPJO, failure of previous open pyeloplasty (thus re-do cases), correction of UPJO in kidneys with anatomical variations, huge hydronephrosis, and low-weight infants (<6 kg). Results: Over an 8-year period, 36 children (62% males and 38% females) met the inclusion criteria for our study. Fifteen patients underwent RALP for recurrent UPJO; among them, 2 children required simultaneous surgery for renal stones, 3 cases of lower pole UPJO in double collecting system, 3 cases of pelvic and horseshoe kidneys, 10 cases of infants weighing <6 kg, 3 cases of huge hydronephrosis, and 2 cases of bilateral UPJO. The median age and weight were 36 months (interquartile range [IQR] 14-84) and 12 kg (IQR 10-20.5), respectively. All robotic cases were completed successfully with no conversion to an open procedure. The median operative time was 120 minutes (IQR 90-135). The mean length of hospital stay was 2.6 days. Four patients (17%) had postoperative complications-1 ileus (Clavien-Dindo grade [CDG] I) and 3 urinary tract infections (CDG II). No CDG III or higher complication was encountered. At a median follow-up of 36 months, the success rate was 95% with 1 patient requiring another re-do procedure due to recurrent obstruction. Conclusions: Our data suggest that RALP is safe and effective even for challenging cases of UPJO in children.

Repositioning of Ureteropelvic Junction in Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) repositioning in robot-assisted dismembered pyeloplasty as a modified approach during which the UPJ is brought to a new location to facilitate the anastomosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of pediatric and adult cases of robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty performed between the years 2016 and 2022. In a select group of patients, repositioning of the UPJ was performed. Demographic data, surgical and post-surgical outcomes were compared to a group that underwent classical Anderson-Hynes (AH) dismembered pyeloplasty. RESULTS: Overall, 70 patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty and were included in the study, with 15 in the repositioning group and 55 in the AH group. The median age of patients included was 26 months (interquartile range (IQR) 7-203). Median operative time was 140 minutes (IQR 129-192) and 170 minutes (IQR 135-207) for the repositioning and AH group, respectively. The indications for UPJ repositioning were high UPJ insertion (n = 8), crossing vessel (n = 5), and renal malformations (n = 2). Clinical significance was shown in the Society of Fetal Urology classification and split renal function postoperatively, respectively (P <.001; P <.01). Postoperatively, both groups showed improvement in anterior posterior diameter (APD) and diuretic T1/2 (P = 0.48). There was 1 case of surgical failure requiring revisional surgery in the repositioning group (6.6%) and 3 in the AH group (5.5%) (P >.05). Overall, there were 3 cases of Clavien-Dindo Grade 3 complications, all in the AH group (2 cases of urine leak from anastomosis, 1 case of port side hernia). CONCLUSION: Repositioning of the UPJ is optional in cases when the obstructed UPJ is in a suboptimal anatomical position.

Tubeless Ureterorenoscopy-Our Experience Using a 120 W Laser and Dusting Technique: Postoperative Pain, Complications, and Readmissions.

Introduction and Objective: Both double J-stent (DJS) and ureter catheter (UC) drainage represent routine practice following ureterorenoscopy. In select situations, a tubeless approach is possible and safe. In tubeless cases, we use a sheathless dusting technique with the Lumenis® MOSES Pulse™120 H Holmium: YAG laser. We evaluated these three drainage subgroups and compared postoperative pain, complications, and readmissions. Methods: A retrospective database of 269 consecutive patients who underwent primary ureterorenoscopy for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones between October 2018 and August 2019. The cohort was divided according to post-operative drainage as Tubeless, UC, and DJS. The decision on whether to perform post-operative drainage was by surgeon preference. Demographic and clinical parameters such as stone location, number, and burden, hydronephrosis grade, and postoperative complications (fever, acute renal failure, and the obstruction of the upper urinary tract by Stone Street) were assessed. Pain was assessed using a 0−10 Visual Analog Scale score (VAS) and the use of analgesics by dose/case in each group. Results: There were 70 (26%) tubeless, 136 (50%) UC, and 63 (24%) DJS cases. Patients drained with DJSs had a significantly higher stone burden, more severe obstruction, and prolonged operative time. Tubeless and UC-drained patients had the same stone characteristics with maximal diameters of 8.4 (6.1−12) mm and 8 (5.2−11.5) mm in comparison to the stented group, with 12 (8.6−16.6) mm, p < 0.01. The operation time was the longest in the stented group at 49 min (IQR 33−60) in comparison to the UC and tubeless groups at 32 min (23−45) and 28 min (20−40), respectively (p < 0.001). Auxiliary procedures were more prevalent in the stented group, but the overall stone-free rate was not significantly different, p = 0.285. Postoperative ER visits, readmissions, and complications were the highest in the UC-drained group, at 20% in the UC vs. 6% in the tubeless and 10% in the stented groups. Post-operative pain levels and analgesic use were significantly lower in the tubeless group with a significant reduction in opiate usage. Conclusions: A tubeless approach is safe in selected cases with fewer post-operative complications. While DJS should be considered in complex cases, UC may be omitted in straightforward cases since it does not appear to reduce immediate postoperative complications. Those fitted for tubeless procedures had improved postoperative outcomes, facilitating outpatient approach to upper urinary tract stone treatment and patient satisfaction.

Urologic oncology randomized controlled trials are frequently fragile - A review of the urology literature.

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) in urologic oncology are the basis of patient management. Considerable debate exists on the limitation of statistical reporting of randomized controlled trials. Fragility index (FI) is a measure of the number of events upon which the trials statistical results depend on. The FI is defined as the minimum number of patients whose status would have to change from a 'non-event' to 'event', in order to turn a statistically significant result to a non-significant result and vice versa. Our aim is to examine the FI of RCT's in urologic oncology published in the urology literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We exhaustively searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 1, 2016 to December 31 2019 for RCT's in urology journals. Only studies reporting dichotomous outcomes were included and FI was calculated for each outcome. The distributions of FI across different journals and types of outcome (primary/ secondary, significant/ non-significant) were assessed. We examined the correlation of FI with sample size and P-value. RESULTS: We identified 216 RCT's, 79 were eligible for analysis. Median FI was 3.0 (2.5, 6.0). One hundred and forty-six (89.6%) outcomes from 72 (94.7%) RCT's had a FI lower than 10 and 6 (3.7%) outcomes from 6 (7.9%) RCT's had a FI = 0. There was no statistically significant difference in FI between different types of outcomes. There was a modest correlation between the FI and the sample size (rs 0.50, P < 0.01) and a weak correlation between the FI the P value (rs 0.15 (P < 0.04)). CONCLUSIONS: Randomized controlled trials in urology journals that study dichotomous outcomes often report fragile results that should be regarded with caution. Reporting the FI alongside P values may enhance the interpretation and implementation of urologic oncology RCT's.

Robotic versus laparoscopic ipsilateral uretero-ureterostomy for upper urinary tract duplications in the pediatric population: A multi-institutional review of outcomes and complications.

OBJECTIVE: To review and compare robotic ipsilateral uretero-ureterostomy (RIUU) and laparoscopic ipsilateral uretero-ureterostomy (LIUU) in terms of safety, efficacy, and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review, including all pediatric patients who underwent RIUU and LIUU at 5 different medical centers, between 2015 and 2019, was performed. Patient's demographics, perioperative data, surgical techniques, complications, and results were compared. RESULTS: The study included 66 pediatric patients, 22 RIUU and 44 LIUU. Median age at surgery was 12 month (IQR 7-52) and median weight was 12 kg (IQR 9-16). Upper to lower IUU was performed in 55 cases and lower to upper IUU in 11 cases. Median operative times for RIUU and LIUU were 90 min (IQR 75-97.5) and 112.5 min (IQR 81.5-121.25), respectively (p = 0.034). Clavien-Dindo grade 3 postoperative complications occurred in two LIUU patients. One patient underwent an ancillary procedure with laparoscopic distal ureteral stump removal. All patients had resolution of symptoms and improvement in hydronephrosis or a non-obstructed curve on MAG3 diuretic renal scan. CONCLUSION: RIUU and LIUU are both safe and effective minimally invasive approaches for duplex upper urinary tract anomalies in the pediatric population. RIUU demonstrated shorter operating times .